June 2015
POINTS USAFA Alumni Magazine
HONOR BOUND ACADEMY POWS RETURN
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POINTS June 2015 FEATURES 14 Honor Bound
On the Cover These copper POW bracelets were donated by former POWs, their friends, families, and fellow grads with the expressed purpose of being melted into the sculpture “Honor Bound: A Portrait of Courage.” “Honor Bound” is dedicated to the sacrifice of Academy graduates who served as POWs in Southeast Asia. Photo courtesy of Judy O’Gorman, Bronze Services Foundry, Loveland, Colo.
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Last April, 19 POWs and the next of kin of five more traveled to the Academy to interact with the Cadet Wing and dedicate “Honor Bound: A Portrait of Courage.” This striking sculpture, which has been placed on the wall of the SEA Memorial Pavilion at Doolittle Hall, is dedicated to the sacrifice of the 33 USAFA graduates who served as prisoners of war in Southeast Asia.
38 The DIY Article Write a novel. Cry on cue. Hit a “tweener” on the tennis court. Stay dry in a rainforest. Do It Yourself by following the advice of four USAFA graduates!
46 To Mars! The Space Imperative of Our Time The Mars One organization intends on establishing a permanent human settlement on the “Red Planet” by the year 2027. As one of 100 finalists competing to take part on this mission, Oscar Mathews ‘04 explains the importance of colonization.
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DEPARTMENTS Columns
Graduate Profile
Back of the Book
4 CEO Update 6 Chairman’s Journal 8 Staff Directory 10 Letters 12 News
58 2015 Jabara Award 60 Falcon Fitness Fix 62 The Class of 2015
100 Gone But Not Forgotten 107 Class News 152 Final Thought
Heritage
Checkpoints Online Bonus Content
64 A Hero’s Sacrifice 66 Freeze Frame
The Association
A Cadet and a Tourist Advice From a Mid-Career Graduate
70 Graduate Dependent Scholarships 72 The Art of the Career Transition 78 Endowed Scholarships 80 Happenings
Cadet Life 54 Servant Leadership 82 Engineering an Air Force 86 Cadet Question
From the Terrazzo 90 A New Era of Air Force Athletics 96 Greater Expectations
Checkpoints
June 2015
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COLUMNS
A Very Special Privilege BY WILLIAM “T” THOMPSON ’73, AOG PRESIDENT AND CEO
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t is a stunning early June day at our Air Force’s Academy. The sun is glistening off the Chapel’s aluminum spires and I can clearly see the tower of the new Center for Character and Leadership Development rising above the Cadet Area. It is late spring and we are optimistic that winter has finally and completely loosened its grip but, of course, we went to school here and are very familiar with Colorado weather. Just as Mother Nature goes through her seasons and cycles, our Academy does as well. We have just graduated 840 new members of the Long Blue Line and your AOG is gearing up to welcome 1,271 new appointees into the Class of 2019. This gorgeous day, coupled with the anticipation of the arrival of yet another new class, has caused this old Zoomie to be a bit reflective and nostalgic. Forty six years ago this month, I woke up one June morning to begin one of the greatest days of my existence. The date was June 22nd, 1969, the day that I got on an airplane for only the second time in my life. It was the day that I left Orangeburg, S.C., to come to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Given that day was almost half a century ago, as you might expect, many things about that day I can’t recall and other things are a bit fuzzy. But there are some things that are indelibly etched into the fabric of my mind and are as clear as if they had occurred just yesterday. For example, I remember how excited I was to get a window seat after I changed planes at O’Hare in Chicago. I also clearly recall being on final approach to land in Colorado Springs and looking out on the eastern plains which seemed to stretch to infinity, or at least as far as I could see. As the plane came to a stop at the terminal building, I distinctly remember a truck with stairs on top, driving up to the airplane so we could get off. You see there were no jet-ways in the Springs in those days. As I stepped off the airplane, I walked under a crystal clear, radiant blue sky; bluer than any sky I had ever seen. And when I turned around and looked to the west, I was greeted by the Ramparts, framed by a snow capped Pikes Peak. It’s really diffi-
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cult to put into words the emotions I felt. The closest I can come is to say I had a religious experience. You see, growing up in the low country of South Carolina, I had never seen mountains in real life before. And snow in June? In S.C., an inch of snow in the winter would shut down the state and folks would clean off the grocery store shelves. Then immediately after thinking, “Wow, there must be a God,” I thought, “there is a big world out here and I have lived a sheltered life.” I don’t remember whether I caught a cab from the airport or whether the Academy provided a bus but I ended up at the motel just outside of the south gate. I think it was a Sheraton in those days but it is the Academy Hotel today I ran in to some of my new classmates who had decided to rent a car and go check the Academy out and they invited me along. Well, security then wasn’t as tight as it is today, so we were able to drive right up to the Cadet Area. I was blown away by the sheer grandeur of the place and had to pinch myself because it was hard to believe that I was going to be a part of all of this. We all decided on the spot that we would do whatever was required to graduate from this place. It would be interesting to know how many other grads had similar thoughts. I wonder if the four graduates who have gone on to be Chiefs of Staff of the Air Force, the 38 graduates who earned Rhodes Scholarships, or the 37 graduates who were POWs felt the same way. And what about our grads who have become captains of industry like the president of American Airlines, the former president of Oracle software, the former vice-chair of General Motors or the publisher of the LA Times? Were they as impressed as we were that day? I think it’s fitting that we reflect more often on the fact that we have been given a unique and special privilege by the American people to attend the United States Air Force Academy. Yes, it was tough but that was intentional because the Academy was preparing us for life. And most of us have come to realize that life can be tough at times. Along the way, however, we got a top education from one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. Then, after we graduated, we got to do things that many
of us could not have imagined growing up. Most of us got to fly jets. Some of us experienced flying faster than the speed of sound, and a few of us even conquered space. We operated satellites and missiles or as young maintainers, got to lead airman at a time when many of our civilian friends couldn’t get a job and were moving back in with their parents with mountains of student loan debt. When we transitioned, either after our initial obligation or after a 20 or 30 year career, doors opened up for us, because we were Air Force Academy grads. There have been 47,889 graduates of the United States Air Force Academy but literally hundreds of thousands of others, in fact, well over a half million people, who applied and wanted to be in our place. But we were the ones who received the privilege. We were the chosen few. I believe we have, not only a responsibility, but indeed, an obligation to give back and to keep “Our Academy,” vibrant and strong. Not only because of the very special privilege that has been bestowed upon us. That, in my view, would be reason enough. From a pragmatic perspective, it is in our own self-interest. Because when our alma mater thrives and gains in prestige, it serves to increase the value of the ring we so proudly wear. GO FALCONS!
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Checkpoints
June 2015
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COLUMNS
Chairman’s
Journal
BY BRIG. GEN. (RET.) ROGER CARLETON ’67
GREETINGS FELLOW GRADUATES, PARENTS AND FRIENDS of the Academy. In this issue, I’ll address three topics: (1) your new AOG Board of Directors, (2) a brief synopsis of the POW Memorial dedication held 22-24 April 2015 in Doolittle Hall and on the Heritage Trail, and (3) the return of a 1967 graduate shot down in January 1970 while flying an A-1 “Skyraider” over Laos. By the time this issue goes to press, the new AOG Board will have already held its first meeting. The questions I am often asked are why are elections staggered every two years and what is the rationale for appointed directors? I’ll attempt to answer both of these questions. All directors must be graduate members of the Association of Graduates. The Association’s Bylaws dictate the number of elected and appointed directors that make up your Board of Directors. There shall be eleven directors elected by the membership eligible to vote, unless positions are vacated before their term expires, whereby the Board may select replacements. There shall be no more than four appointed directors appointed by a majority vote of a quorum of the Board. These Bylaws also tell us that the election of new directors will occur in odd-numbered years where approximately half of the elected positions will be open. This criterion is to ensure continuity among the Board. In the election recently concluded in March, Tamra Rank ’83; Wally Moorhead ’69; Steve Mueller ’79; Larry New ’76; Jack Fry ’67 and Kathleen Rock ’98 were elected by the membership to fill four-year positions. Both Jack and Kathleen had previously served four-years and were re-elected. In contrast to elected directors, appointed directors offer the Board the opportunity to fill positions based upon gaps in expertise. Following the March vote, the Nominating Committee examined the Board’s capabilities and recommended appointed director positions be offered to Will Gunn ’80 and Major Mark Rosenow ’03, as both possessed a legal background. William “Bill” Looney ’72 also accepted a two-year appointed director position. Your new Board possesses the following characteristics: (a) fifteen Directors—11 elected and 4 appointed; (b) classes represented range from 1966 to 2003; (c) three females; (d) 12 males; (e) two lawyers; (f ) one USAF active duty member; (g) and five retired general officers. Preserving and promoting the Academy’s heritage and that of its graduates is one of the AOG’s key missions. The Heritage Trail, located behind Doolittle Hall, is a setting where appropriate 6
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memorials and buildings can be located. The Class of 1970, at their 40th reunion, donated a magnificent Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion building. For the early Classes, Vietnam was “their” war. On a wall outside the main building are bronze Class Crests honoring those graduates who made the ultimate sacrifice in this conflict. There are 151 names on these crests spanning 14 classes from 1959 through 1972. Thanks to the Heritage Committee and the leadership of General (Ret.) Ron Yates ’60, a large bronze relief sculpture depicting a U.S. aviator being subjected to torture and interrogation along with names of the 33 Academy graduates who were Vietnam era POWs, the dates they were shot down and ultimately released, is now affixed to the Pavilion. Two POWs died in captivity—Captain Lance Sijan ’65 and Captain Mike Bosiljevac ’67. In late April, the graduate POWs were invited back to the Academy for the dedication of this bronze relief memorial. Nineteen former POWs and the next of kin of five POWs attended this dedication. Because these POWs underwent hardships few can imagine, the Commandant of Cadets, Brigadier General Steve Williams ’89, adjusted schedules so these men could talk to the cadets about what kept them optimistic through many years of captivity. If you ever are in Colorado Springs, I strongly recommend that you visit the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. It is well worth your time. You can read more about this event on page 14. On April 14, 2015, the remains of Captain Richard D. Chorlins ’67 were interred at the Academy cemetery following a funeral service in the Jewish Cadet Chapel. This moving ceremony culminated a journey of 45 years since his A-1 was shot down by enemy ground fire January 11, 1970. I mention this for a few reasons. First, the Air Force goes all out to honor a service member lost in combat. A flight of four F-16s flew a missing man formation over the cemetery to honor a fellow aviator. Second, his widow and two sisters along with their families and many classmates were present to pay tribute to his sacrifice. Third, the USAF Academy Base Honor Guard as well as a Cadet Honor Guard contingent provided appropriate military honors. Finally, the Academy’s Mortuary Affairs Officer, Ms. Janet Edwards, and her team once again performed flawlessly. Everyone reading this should know that this service provided to graduates is the norm for the Air Force Academy. Finally, June 25th begins Inprocessing for the Class of 2019. As the new basic cadet appointees arrive, we bid farewell to the 840 members of ’15 and wish them every success as they embark on their careers. GO FALCONS!
GRADUATE PROFILE
ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY
&
STAFF DIRECTORY 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475, (719) 472-0300 THE ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES To email a staff member, use the first and last name. Example: Gary Howe | gary.howe@aogusafa.org AOG Executive Office President & CEO William “T” Thompson ’73, ext. 101 (t.thompson@aogusafa.org) Executive Vice President Gary Howe ’69, ext. 107 Sr. VP for Operations Marty Marcolongo ’88, ext. 146 Sr. VP for Finance & Chief Financial Officer Alton Parrish, ext. 123 History and Heritage Projects Officer Amanda Hess, ext. 103 Executive Assistant Emma Ross, ext. 106 Finance Accountant Joyce Love, ext. 110 Senior Accounting Clerk Janice Baca, ext. 111 Sr. Data Integrity Specialist Kim Wilson, ext. 127 Sr. Data Integrity Specialist John Rice, ext. 132 Data Integrity Specialist Murlea Vance, ext. 130 Communications Sr. VP for Communications Bob McAllister, ext. 142 Creative Director Sarah Larrabee, ext. 144 Managing Editor David Bergeman, ext. 143 Photography/Video Production Specialist Nathan Jones, ext. 140 Graphic Designer Eric Costello, ext. 149 Class News & Obituary Editor Tom Kroboth, ext. 133 Director of Web Communications Troy Surratt, ext. 125 Systems Administrator Albert Gilligan, ext. 124 Lead Programmer/Web Developer Toby Lortz, ext. 141 Web Developer Nick Johannsen Director of Information Systems Jack Mueller ’70, ext. 122 Volunteer Editor Paul Henry ’67 Business Operations Director of Business Operations Beth Wade Director of Business Programs Vince Greco, ext. 150 Marketing Coordinator Jeff MacLean, ext. 167
Alumni Affairs Vice President for Corporate and Association Relations Corrie Grubbs, ext. 105 Director of Membership Megan Mulligan , ext. 108 Director of Constituent Programs Bill Preston, ext. 121 Membership Services Specialist Don McCarthy, ext. 139 Constituent Engagement Manager Beth Szucs ’97, ext. 115 Doolittle Hall Events/Special Functions Director of Event Planning Michele Bergeman, ext. 136 Special Functions Coordinator Jean Bickford, ext. 148 Alumni Affairs Event Coordinator Sara Dozier, ext. 138 Event Chaperone Daisy Hall, ext. 148 Customer Service and Facility Management Customer Service Supervisor Michele Cowan, ext. 151 Customer Service Representative Brandi Lortz, ext. 154 Merchandising Lead Jan Howard, ext. 153 Merchandising Representative Daisy Hall, ext. 152 Merchandising Representative Tim Klopfenstein, ext. 158 Facilities Superintendent Kenny D’Amico, ext. 155 The Association of Graduates Board of Directors Stephen Mueller ’79 Board Chair Roger Carleton ’67 Drew Miller ’80 Vice Chair Vic Andrews ’66 Willie Gunn ’80 Secretary Bob Munson ’73 Cathy McClain ’82 Treasurer Jack Fry ’67 Tamra Rank ’83 Wally Moorhead ’69 Kathleen Rock ’98 Mike Torreano ’70 Mark Rosenow ’03 William Looney ‘72 CAS President Garry Dudley ’68 Larry Fariss ’75 Larry New ’76
THE USAFA ENDOWMENT To email a staff member, use the first and last name. Example: Gina Simler | gina.simler@usafaendowment.org President & CEO Gen. (Ret.) Stephen R. Lorenz ’73 (steve.lorenz@usafaendowment.org) Vice President, Development Jennifer Bateman, ext. 202 Executive Assistant Ruth Reichert ext. 206 Chief Financial Officer Dennis Scruggs, ext. 203 Director, Accounting Susan Mackaman, ext. 204 Associate Vice President, Development Greg Knedler, ext. 224 Director, Annual Giving Alison Mercer, ext. 221 Director, Gift Planning Dale Zschoche, 719.238.7510
Major Gift Officer Obura Tongoi ‘11, 719.375.9082 Major Gift Officer Chris Brewer, 804.337.5767 Major Gift Officer Cindi Brothers, 719.464.7684 Leadership Annual Gift Officer Stella Grayson ‘99, 719.331.7430 Class Giving Officer Razelle Doherty, ext. 222 Annual Giving Officer Amanda Brown, ext. 223 Manager, Donor Relations Gina Simler, ext. 200 Stewardship Coordinator Kate Hutchison, ext. 240 Director, Development Communications Jermaine Johnson, ext. 220
Volume 44, number 1 Checkpoints (ISSN 0274-7391) USPS 898-080 is published quarterly in March, June, September and December by the Association of Graduates, U.S. Air Force Academy. (Phone: 719-472-0300, DSN: 333-2067. FAX: 719333-4194, E-mail: editor@aogusafa.org.) A portion of your dues pays for your magazine subscription. Additional copies may be purchased for $2.50 each, plus $4.60 for shipping. Periodicals postage paid at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Checkpoints, Association of Graduates, Doolittle Hall, 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475. The Editorial Board serves the Checkpoints mission by providing a top quality magazine to the Air Force Academy’s broader community. Together, the editor, VP of Communications, Executive VP and the AOG CEO collaborate to ensure that all articles meet the standards of excellence readers have come to expect of Checkpoints. The AOG reserves the right to publish or omit submissions at its discretion. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions, policy or attitude of the AOG, its officers or the editorial staff. The appearance of advertisements in this publication does not constitute an endorsement by the AOG of the products or services advertised. Copyright, Association of Graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy, June, 2015.
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STATE OF MIND Feedback, insight and fun from Falcon Nation.
On the Origins of USAFA Lacrosse Great article on lacrosse at USAFA in the March issue (“Little Brother of War”). The sport has come a long way since it was introduced as a club at USAFA circa 1956 (not 1967). There were at least five of us in the class of 1960 from back east who were instrumental in forming the Lacrosse Club, Kenneth J. Alnwick, Fuller D. Atkinson, Andrew W. Biancur, Neal T. Reavely and myself. At the time there was no inter collegiate lacrosse played west of the Mississippi River. At USAFA we played intramurally between squadrons. The article brings out the real spirit of the game as a fast, hard-hitting, contact sport. –Howard M. Whitfield, Class of 1960
TweetBack
Quarterly Query
@CoachTCalhoun, Air Force head football coach Troy Calhoun ’89, tweeted this picture of himself with President Barack Obama; USAFA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson ’81; and the Air Force football firsties as they accepted the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for a record 19th time during a ceremony held at the White House on May 7.
Have you visited the Air Force Academy since graduating?
“My favorite thing about Air Force— and all the academies who come through here—is not just that they win, it’s how they win.” —President Obama.
Letters Guidelines Checkpoints welcomes the feedback of our readers. Letters should reference content published in the magazine and run 200 words in length or less. The editor reserves the right to determine the suitability of letters for publication and to edit them for length and accuracy. Please include your name and graduating year if you are an Academy graduate and email your submission to editor@aogusafa.org.
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Do you enjoy the enriched experience of Checkpoints Online? Go green and defer shipment of the print edition by emailing editor@aogusafa.org.
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Check In with Checkpoints A. Gary Hoe ’69 brought Checkpoints on a DeHaviland Beaver while on a floatplane flightseeing trip from Ketchikan, Alaska, to the Misty Fjords National Monument. Make sure to take note of his 20th USAFA reunion hat which dates from 1989! B. Mike Hanzel ’70 poses with his favorite magazine relaxing near the 18th green of the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland (the Home of Golf). C. 2014 Distinguished Graduate Award recipient Thomas J. Eller ’61, Ph.D. (Lt. Col. Ret.) and his son, Robert L. Eller ’96, MD (Lt. Col.), browse Checkpoints
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C Online in front of the Jungfrau, “Top of Europe’s” 13,642-foot mountain, which is located in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland. D. Mike Griffith ’73 takes checking in to a new and exotic extreme as he poses with the magazine while on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico. This picture was taken as he was exploring the sunken tugboat “Red Sea,” just southeast of Panama City, Fla. E. After finishing the New York City Marathon with a time of 3:51:16 (not his best time, but not bad considering the cold and blustery conditions that day), Charles Alonzo ’00 takes a moment to catch his breath and check in. F. Ted Linhof ’77 and his wife, Stephanie Willis, attempt to make us all jealous by sending in this photo from Bora Bora while cruising French Polynesia. G. Checking in from Africa, Lt. Col. Kyle Benwitz ’97 at Roberts International Airport, Liberia, during Operation UNITED ASSISTANCE. Benwitz served as the Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force-Port Opening (JTF-PO). H. Major Brandon J. Tellez ’01 and Major Peter R. Grossenbach ’01 flew a C-17 Globemaster III from Christchurch, New Zealand to Pegasus Field near McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Their flight was in support of the National Science Foundation. The picture was taken in Antarctica on the parking ramp at Pegasus Field. I. From left: Jim Butt ’63, Bill Carnegie ’60, Rick Patterson ’68 and Jon Sercel ’79 pose with their beloved alumni rag. The four were joined by their wives on a cruise of the Mystical Andes & Majestic Fjords in South America. The cruise was sponsored by the AOG through Go Next. This photo was snapped in the Fjords of Chile. J. Jessica Regni ’03 and John Regni ’73 proudly carried Checkpoints from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to the Colorado River and back—same day (don’t tell the Park Rangers). It was a 17 mile trek, close to 5,000 feet elevation change down ... and up and a 40 degree F temp swing in 9 hours. This picture was taken at the suspension bridge across the Colorado River on the South Kaibab Trail. Jessica is the Deputy EA to the PACOM Commander, and John was the Academy’s 17th Superintendent.
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March 2015
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THE TRANSMISSION USAFA news from around the globe … and beyond.
USAFA is Seeking ALOs Are you looking to give back to the Academy and help strengthen the tradition of the Long Blue Line? Chances are you already share your Academy and Air Force experiences with parents, teachers, coaches, key community influencers, and young men and women aspiring to attend USAFA. Well, Academy Admissions has been doing the same thing and we would like you to join our team! We are currently looking for Admissions Liaison Officers (ALO) to help identify, attract, mentor, and evaluate qualified candidates seeking appointment to USAFA. As an ALO you will work closely with candidates throughout the admissions and scholarship application processes. This is a truly rewarding experience. The current ALO force consists of active duty, guard/reserve, and retired/civilian personnel. Depending on your status, you may be able to earn additional points towards retirement. If you’re interested in becoming an ALO, if you know someone who would be a good fit, or if you have questions about the program, please contact Admissions Action Council Project Manager, Ron Killins ’99, via email at rkillins@gmail.com. Shupe ’76 Receives Veterans of Influence Awards On March 19, 2015, the Philadelphia Business Journal bestowed their inaugural Veterans of Influence Awards on notable Philadelphia-area business people, which included Denny Shupe ’76 a partner with Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP. In all, the publication honored 20 veterans whose leadership and success is attributable through dedication to a cause greater than themselves—a military trait that lives on in their business acumen. Shupe’s pro bono focus is in support of a variety of military veteran causes and as a board member of New Leash on Life USA, a nonprofit focused on training and socializing abandoned dogs to enhance their adoptability. Mr. Shupe is also engaged in a program for building prison inmate social and job skills to improve the likelihood of successful re-entry into the community. Wright ’85 to head Arizona Department of Veteran Services On March 23, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey named Col. (Ret.) Wanda Wright ’85 to be the first woman to head the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services. She was confirmed by the state’s senate on April 2. Wright will lead a system that supports over 600,000 Arizona veterans, and will also be responsible for oversight of two cemeteries, two nursing homes, and more than 30 counselors.
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2015 Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame Class Inducted On April 25, Air Force athletics inducted its fifth hall of fame class during a ceremony at the Hotel Eleganté in Colorado Springs. The class was ushered in by Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson ’81 and Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton. The inductees include: Maiya Anderson ’97, a two-time NCAA Division II women’s swimming national champion; Raymond Dudley ’90, the all-time leading scorer in school history for men’s basketball with 2,178 points; Gene Miranda who served three different stints as the Air Force Academy golf coach over some 28 years; Dana (Pounds) Lyon ’06, a two-time Division I national champion and three-time All-American in the javelin; Bob Spear, affectionately known as the father of Air Force basketball, served as head coach from 1956 to 1971 leading the Falcons to the NCAA tournament in 1960 and 1962; Bart Weiss ’86, 1985 conference football offensive player of the year and runner up for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award that year; and the 1958 football team, the only undefeated team in program history, posting a 9-0-2 record. The team earned the school’s first-ever bowl invitation, the 1959 Cotton Bowl (played to a 0-0 tie against TCU), a game which is also one of just two New Year’s Day bowl games in program history. High School Honors Lopez ’13 Second Lt. Victor Lopez ’13 was recently honored by a Del Rio, TX high school for his contributions to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) volunteerism in the area. While stationed at Laughlin AFB awaiting pilot training, Lopez passed the time by volunteering for a fledgling robotics program. In sum, he donated over 1100 hours, helping to dramatically advance the growth of the program. In February, Lopez was both the recipient and the namesake of “The Victor Lopez Volunteer Award,” which was established by teachers in the program. While at USAFA, Lopez founded the cadet STEM Club, a program that has since touched the lives of more than 100,000 students in the Pikes Peak Region. New Plaque Placed at SEA Memorial Pavilion On May 1, during a ceremony held at Doolittle Hall, a plaque was dedicated to those graduates who participated in Operation Arc Light during the Vietnam War and the Cold War. Two Air Force Academy graduates were killed in action flying these missions: George Lockhart ’69 and Craig Paul ’69 lost their lives during Operation Linebacker II. The plaque can be viewed at the SEA Memorial Pavilion.
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HONOR BOUND AIR FORCE ACADEMY POWS AND THEIR NEXT OF KIN RETURN TO COLORADO SPRINGS FOR HISTORIC EVENT.
Written by David Bergeman
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Thirty-three Air Force Academy graduates endured life as a POW in Southeast Asia. Two of these men, Medal of Honor recipient Lance Sijan ’65 and Michael Bosiljevac ’67, were killed in action. During an historic event held at USAFA in April, the Association of Graduates and the Academy brought back 19 of these men of honor, and the next of kin of five more, so they could speak with cadets and dedicate a memorial to their service and sacrifice which has been four years in the making. “Honor Bound: A Portrait of Courage,” was sculpted by Jim Nance ’71. It has been placed on the wall of the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion on the Heritage Trail, and faces the names of 150 Academy graduates who gave their lives during the conflict. The POW memorial came about through the tireless efforts of Gen. (Ret.) Ron Yates ’60. On April 24th, the memorial was dedicated before AOG personnel, USAFA senior staff, and
40 cadets, one representing each squadron. USAFA Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson ’81, marked the occasion: “You’re an inspiration to us,” Johnson said. “Your experience is so outside of the norm we experience every day. Your physical and moral courage inspire cadets as they graduate for today’s fight. We need Air Force leaders who will follow your example and not take the easy route. We need leaders who are innovative and value their teammates the way you tended to each other in the harshest conditions.” Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Ed Mechenbier ’64, who was imprisoned for over five years and eight months, spoke as a POW representative at the event. “We performed, endured and succeeded in the circumstance of being a POW,” he said. “To all the POWs and those missing in action, you are not forgotten. Thank you and God bless you.” w
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June 2015
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“I wanted to come and be able to attend in representation of Lance,” said Janine Sijan Rozina, sister of the Air Force Academy’s only Medal of Honor recipient, Lance Sijan, “because I know that’s what he would want to do. He’d want to be here for them. He’d want to support them and thank them for their service. He would want to find out what they had done in their lives after returning; how they continued to serve. I was very excited about hearing all of the POWs individual stories, feeling the thread that runs through all of them. I am standing among giants.”
“I looked at the memorial and, to me, it could be a metaphor for overcoming adversity,” said Howard Hill ’65, a prisoner for more than five years. “Hopefully it can provide some inspiration to cadets, or anyone who views it, to know that there are some people who have gone through very trying times, and they still have been able to survive and ultimately prevail.” In remarks after the dedication, Yates, who helped find many generous donors and develop the design concept, spoke about his admiration for the POWs and the impetus for the memorial. “The class of 1970 stepped up by putting in the Southeast Asia Memorial, which recognizes by class, those people who gave their lives, but there wasn’t anything that specifically recognized the tremendous price paid by these prisoners of war,” said Yates, “almost eight years of torture, isolation, and many years of their family not knowing if they were alive or dead. The enduring uncertainty; think about it. If someone told you, you had to endure something for a year or two years, that’s one thing, but their commitment was open ended. They didn’t know how long it was going to be. They had hope and faith in the nation that it would end.” On April 23rd, the POWs and families joined the Cadet Wing for lunch, sitting on the Staff Tower in Mitchell Hall. When these heroic people were introduced, the Cadet Wing gave them a stirring welcome that brought some in attendance to tears. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) John Borling ’63, who spent over six years and eight months in captivity, spoke about that moment. “The reception at Mitchell Hall was astounding. I really thought that their reaction was one, genuine, and two, very much heartfelt on my part,” Borling said. “There is an element of common respect from us old guys to those who are currently serving in the Cadet Wing—that was quite moving.” Commandant of Cadets, Brig. Gen. Stephen Williams ’89, helped rearrange Cadet Wing schedules so that students could interact with the visiting graduates and next of kin. POWs spoke with cadets in large group lectures, in classroom settings, and informally, as well. Many of the POWs spoke about their time at USAFA and how, in ways both large and small, 16
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the institution helped them get through their time in captivity. “The Academy absolutely helped prepare me for the experience,” explained Dr. Tom McNish ’64, a POW for six and a half years. “Right from the beginning, the fourth-class system helped train me for incarceration and dealing with interrogations, because the whole purpose of the fourth-class system is to teach you to think, respond, and react in a controlled and measured and appropriate way, under pressure.” “Somehow,” said P.K. Robinson ’62, who spent nearly nine months in captivity, “you really developed a love of the country and a feeling you were serving your country over there in Vietnam. You didn’t want to be shot down. But you felt that you were still representing your country in that situation.” “It was an eye opener,” added William Reich ’70, also a POW for almost nine months, “to what it really means to serve your country. It’s easy to say in peace time or when things are going well, but all of a sudden you are in a situation where you don’t have control—you’re not there by choice. It gets harder to live up to what is expected of you and what you want to accomplish.” “We failed and we failed again, and then we failed a lot more while we were there, but that part was no different from being a cadet at the Academy,” said Jerry Singleton ’62—the second Air Force Academy graduate to be taken as a POW. Singleton was interned for more than seven years. POWs in attendance were universally pleased and grateful for the opportunity to observe and interact with the Cadet Wing. “I think they were all very appreciative of our time here,” said Tim Ayres ’68, who was held for nearly a year. “In that respect I’m glad we did this. Maybe we have influenced some lives.” The POW visit and associated ceremonies underscored the returnees’ unique characteristics as individuals and as a group. Indeed, each of these brave men had experiences that most people will likely never fully understand. Many have written books or have had books written about them. Their personal stories illustrate the strength of character, the sense of humor, and the belief in each other that enabled them to return home with honor. w
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Honor Bound: A Portrait of Courage “Honor Bound: A Portrait of Courage” is a brutal, heartbreaking, yet hopeful memorial to the 33 Air Force Academy graduates who suffered the harsh realities of life as prisoners of war in Southeast Asia. The memorial was recently dedicated in a moving ceremony at the SEA Memorial Pavilion. The creation of “Honor Bound” has special meaning for sculptor Jim Nance ’71. Nance also created the ultra-realistic bronze relief sculpture that depicts the Ho Chi Minh Trail and the Southeast Asia Theater of operations that is located at the SEA Memorial Pavilion. He flew C-141s in Vietnam, and was co-pilot on one of the first flights to bring returning POWs out of Hanoi during Operation Homecoming in 1973. His father flew B-17s during World War II and spent three years as a POW after being shot down over Germany. “Honor Bound” is a 2,000 pound, 6-foot by 12-foot bronze and stainless steel panel which contains names of all Academy POWs, dedication text, crests, and a life size bas-relief sculpture. Utilizing classical relief techniques the sculpture appears full round when viewed from the front, yet is less than 25% of life in projection. The figure sculpture alone contains 800 pounds of bronze, and includes the melted copper of 42 POW bracelets donated for the purpose by former POWs, their friends and families. The project took Nance over 1,000 hours to complete. The imagery of the sculpture depicts a POW being tortured by use of what was known to its victims as the “rope trick.” Upon being captured, a POW’s arms would be tied behind his back at the wrists and elbows in this painful position. The prisoner would subsequently be lifted into the air by a rope tied to the wrists, dislocating his shoulders.
After a Cadet Wing-wide “selfie” competition, thenCadet First Class Joseph Flescher III ’14 served as the model for the sculpture. He was bound using actual knots and gag detailed in a pamphlet written by Vietnam POW Mike McGrath. The sculpture includes barbwire that symbolizes the stark sense of confinement so characteristic of the prisoner environment. Also incorporated in this artwork are words like “hope,” “family,” and “honor,” which Academy POWs provided when asked to articulate the one word that helped them get through their time in captivity. There is a green patina in the background as a representation of the interrogation rooms. The spiritual heart of the sculpture is the subtle “flipping of the bird” by the prisoner, an act that was often used by POWs to undercut their exploitation for propaganda purposes, and to raise their spirits by this small act of defiance. In its total impact on the viewer, “Honor Bound: A Portrait of Courage” is truly impressive. “This occasion is especially meaningful because we’re all graduates of the Academy,” Nance said after the dedication ceremony. “I didn’t fly combat, I flew C-141s, so I didn’t really contribute to the war in the kind of way these guys did. This was an opportunity for me to do something to honor our POWs, and I am grateful for the chance to participate. The best part of the entire project was being able to meet so many of our POWs.” Nance is currently putting the finishing touches on a memorial of Lance Sijan ’65 depicting his 46-day ordeal in the Karst of Laos, which will be dedicated by the Class of 1965 on 6 November 2015.
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“I lived with two of my Academy instructors in North Vietnam,” explained Leroy Stutz ’64, who was held captive for over six years and three months. “My second roommate was my English instructor and a few days later I ran into one of my aero instructors. We were outside and we couldn’t communicate by talking. I saw him as they brought him out. We were watching a movie. I reached my foot under the blanket and tapped on the guy’s leg in front of me and I asked, ‘Your new roommate, did he used to be an instructor at the Air Force Academy?’ “He tapped back that, ‘Yes, it was Ben Pollard. He was an aero instructor.’ “I tapped back, ‘Tell him that it’s his fault that I’m here.’ “He answered, ‘What do you mean?’ “I tapped back to him, ‘Tell him that if he had given me the grade in aero that I should have had they would have kicked me out of the Academy and I wouldn’t be here!’” “It’s always great to get back together with these guys because, every time we do,” said Charles Jackson ’69, who spent seven-plus months in captivity, “we learn something new about ourselves that we haven’t gone over yet.” Myron Donald ’65, who was a POW for over five years, reinforced this observation. “I didn’t room with a lot of these people, but I knew their names,” he said, “so for me it was good to meet them. I haven’t heard everybody’s story— and there are a lot of interesting stories.” This very special gathering—the largest of its kind among Air Force Academy POWs and their next of kin—also provided a unique opportunity
for the families of five POWs who have perished to meet with their loved ones’ brothers in arms. “I wanted to come and be able to attend in representation of Lance,” said Janine Sijan Rozina, sister of the Air Force Academy’s only Medal of Honor recipient, Lance Sijan, “because I know that’s what he would want to do. He’d want to be here for them. He’d want to support them and thank them for their service. He would want to find out what they had done in their lives after returning; how they continued to serve. I was very excited about hearing all of the POWs individual stories, feeling the thread that runs through all of them. I am standing among giants.” The memorial sculpture will always hold a special place in the hearts of the family of James Shivley ’64, who was a prisoner for over five and a half years. “This was wonderful. It makes me miss my dad and wish that he were here,” said Shivley’s daughter, Laura Watson. “It always amazes me how many people have nice things to say about my dad.” “It’s special for him to be remembered on the memorial, especially for our kids. To have your name in history like that … ,” said another of his four daughters, Nikki Woodland. “My kids never met their grandpa, so that’s a really cool thing to show them.” Like their fellow internees, Air Force Academy POWs did, in fact, return with honor. They brought their individual and collective Academy experiences to bear in what can only be described as horrific circumstances. Together with their incredible physical endurance, moral resilience, and sheer guts, they prevailed over their captors. All of us in the greater Academy community—on this special occasion and into the future—salute them for what they have given us and our country.
I’ll See You On The Other Side Written by Tracy Leonard-Turi
Editor’s note: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Edward W. Leonard, Jr. ’60 was laid to rest at the USAFA Cemetery on April 24, 2015. Leonard was a POW for nearly four years and ten months. Shortly after Memorial Day weekend in 1968 my father was shot down over Laos in his A-1E Skyraider, and the irony of this coincidence was not lost on him. He distinctly remembered that, in spite of the angry cadre of enemy soldiers in hot pursuit, he had plenty of time to wager whether he was destined to be forever remembered on Memorial Day or Veterans Day. He didn’t yet know that he would survive a brutal capture, five years of hell in various prisoner of war camps, and 3 1/2 years in solitary before coming home to tell his story. Stories were his forte. He told lots of stories, and each time he told them the punch line became funnier and more audacious. He loved nothing more than to jubilantly recount episodes of his own trickery and juvenile antics: the hiding of secret messages to other POWs under human feces, the stealing of the prison
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guards’ chair dowel rods that he clandestinely carved into chess pieces, and the trickery that both alleviated the unfathomable boredom and also took his mind off the inhumanity of it all. Over the years, he began to leave the diabolical details of his torture out of these stories, preferring the lighthearted versions and re-imagining himself as a grand character in his own movie. It was a wise tactic and one that made the past bearable. Yet, his stories were also powerful because they weren’t just stories. They were parables about hardship and tragedy, parables that remind us all to never give up. To never, ever, ring that bell. My dad was a man of great courage. Sandy 7 was stubborn and intrepid and he had grit. He looked danger in the eye and never backed down. Ever. He survived over 250 of the most dangerous combat missions of the Vietnam War. Every man he ever went in to rescue came home alive. Every damn one of them. And although it cost him five years of freedom, he never regretted one day of captivity. Never. A verse in Mark Knopfler’s song, “Brothers in Arms,” a song about a soldier dying in the battlefield, perfectly captures my father’s sentiments: Through these fields of destruction Baptisms of fire I’ve witnessed your suffering As the battles raged higher And though we were hurt so bad In the fear and alarm You did not desert me My brothers in arms He was proud that he never deserted his brothers-in-arms. He was proud that they never abandoned him. And he always said that he would do it all over again: the fear, the hunger, the humiliation, and the pain, just to save even one of these men, these brothers-in-arms, all of whom he loved dearly and with his whole heart. And, knowing my dad, he would do it all over again with the same irreverence, the same aplomb and the same wise-ass sense of humor that frequently cost him a rifle butt to the spine, or a broken jaw, or the inability to think straight for weeks on end as he lay splayed out on a rack at the back of his cell, knocked senseless and incapacitated, but still snickering quietly inside. The measure of any man is whether he leaves this earth having added more than he extracted. My father positively changed the lives of numerous men for the better. In many cases they were strangers and he risked his life for them, prepared to
make the ultimate sacrifice, so that they could live. He loved them unconditionally, generously and without regret. He was resolute in his dedication to his country, to his brothers-in-arms, to his fellow cellmates, and to his mission. My dad and all of these men returned home with honor. My dad’s grit had a long shelf life too. He was supposed to die a long time ago. Years of demonic torture had taken their toll, and he suffered from congestive heart failure and advanced lung disease. His spine bore the scars of numerous fractures and was crumbling; many of his large joints had been replaced multiple times. But my father refused to capitulate to death, which he had defied many, many times over the years. When I flew out to say my final goodbye, it was clear that he still considered death, which he could see lurking in the shadows of the VA, a far less insidious foe than any he had faced in wartime. Even as he and his fellow POW buddy, Dennis, hung out together one last time, remembering their years together as “Lulus,” I swear I saw them both gleefully giving the Grim Reaper the finger every time it limped furtively toward our doorway. My father simply didn’t have time for all that. Not when there was a steak dinner waiting for him, or Mongolian barbeque, or a simple stack of pancakes at one of his favorite local haunts. For years, his own doctor had told him without qualification to cut it out with all those high cholesterol meals … he gave his doctor the finger too. He’d dieted for five years in Laos and decided he didn’t have time for all that either. In fact, for his last great evening on earth, he and his friend, Merlin, enjoyed a prodigious meal at one of his favorite Italian restaurants. A steak “as raw as the law allows,” spaghetti ragu with two extra meatballs, steamer clams and an impressive basket of garlic ciabatta. What a way to go. In the end, it finally took the angels themselves to descend from their perches and personally whisk my dad away, cradling his spirit in their arms and protecting him from harm. He had his challenge coin so he could one day welcome his buddies to the other side. He was at peace. And, he will be forever remembered on Veterans Day, a very poignant and fitting end.
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Martin J. Neuens ’64. Shot down 08/12/66, released 03/04/73.
-Keep your mach up. -Continue to march.
John L. Borling ’63. Shot down 06/01/66, released 02/12/73.
James R. Shively ’64. Shot down 05/05/67, released 02/18/73 Pictured are Shively’s daughters, Amy Hawk (left) and Laura Watson (right), with their sons Cruise Hawk (left) and Ian Watson (right). Not pictured are daughters Jane Helbig and Nikki Woodland.
Guy D. Gruters ’64. Shot down 12/20/67, released 03/14/73.
Jack R. Trimble ’70. Shot down 12/27/72, released 03/29/73. 22
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Leroy W. Stutz ’64. Shot down 12/02/66, released 03/04/73.
Edward J. Mechenbier ’64. Shot down 06/14/67, released 02/18/73. Checkpoints
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Timothy R. Ayres ’68 Shot down 05/03/72, released 03/28/73.
Kay Bosiljevac-Schneider
Michael J. Bosiljevac ’67. Shot down 09/29/72, KIA.
Charles A. Jackson ’69. Shot down 06/24/72, released 02/12/73. Checkpoints
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Lance P. Sijan ’65. Shot down 11/09/67, KIA.
Jerry A. Singleton ’62. Shot down 11/06/65, released 02/12/73. 26
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Tony Marshall ’68 Shot down 07/03/72, released 03/29/73.
Myron L. Donald ’65 Shot down 02/23/68, released 03/14/73.
John P. Cerak ’67. Shot down 06/27/72, released 03/28/73.
John Fer ’62. Shot down 02/04/67, released 03/04/73.
Paul K. Robinson Jr. ’62. Shot down 07/01/72, released 03/28/1973.
Suzanne Leonard
Edward W. Leonard Jr. ’60. Shot down 05/31/68, released 03/28/73. 30
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Thomas M. McNish ’64 Shot down 09/04/66, released 03/04/73.
Howard J. Hill ’65 Shot down 12/16/67, released 03/14/73.
William A. Gauntt ’68. Shot down 08/13/72, released 03/27/73.
To the best of my knowledge, no one has ever volunteered to become a prisoner of war. If the event does occur, it is almost never the result of some uniquely heroic decision you made or action you took, but rather the unintended result of attempting to accomplish the goals of your mission that day. When the event occurs, the decisions you make or the actions you take, that count, are those that continue to support your service to the nation, with honor and integrity, under suddenly altered circumstances beyond your control that likely will be more difficult and trying than you anticipated. -Lt/Col (Ret) William J. Reich, USAF
William J. Reich ’70. Shot down 05/11/72, released 03/28/73.
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Hayden J. Lockhart Jr. ’61. Shot down 03/02/65, released 02/12/73.
Jerry D. Driscoll ’63 Shot down 04/24/66, released 02/12/73.
Ralph T. Browning ’64. Shot down 07/08/66, released 02/12/73.
Ronald G. Bliss ’64. Shot down 09/04/66, released 03/04/73.
Donald R. Spoon ’64 Shot down 01/21/67, released 03/04/73.
Kevin J. McManus ’64. Shot down 06/14/67, released 02/18/73.
Jon D. Black ’59. Shot down 10/27/67, released 02/16/68.
Wayne Ogden Smith ’65. Shot down 01/18/68, released 03/14/73.
Kenneth R. Johnson ’61. Shot down 12/18/71, released 03/14/73.
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William D. Beekman ’68. Shot down 06/24/72, released 03/28/73.
James D. Kula ’69. Shot down 07/29/72, released 03/29/73.
FEATURE
Illustrations by Eric Costello
Do you aspire to write the great American novella, but you don’t know where to start? Are you tormented by a dull repertoire of shots on the tennis court? Then this is the article you’ve been waiting for! Checkpoints has enlisted the expert advice of your fellow grads to provide that one insider tip that will enhance your life. Prepare for self-improvement!
Your Instructor
HOW TO
CRY ON CUE
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Professional film, television and theater actor Regen Wilson ’98 Crying “on cue” is the ability to cry/weep/sob/sniffle at a specific point in the scene or in that character’s dialogue. For example: RICHARD (coldly): Forget it, Janet. It’s over. JANET (emotionally): But why did you have to leave? (pause) And with my sister?! Now, the director might ask the actor playing JANET if she can work up some tears on the “pause” (or on the “beat” as we say in the biz). But women certainly don’t own the crying domain. Another example: HELEN (coldly): Forget it, Bob. It’s over. BOB (fighting back tears): But why did you have to leave? (pause) And with my dog?!
In this scene, the BOB character is as equally distraught over HELEN leaving with their dog as JANET was upset over RICHARD leaving with her sister. And in classic melodramatic fashion, the pauses or “beats” are perfectly appropriate (and predictable) places for some classic crying on cue. Crying on cue can be accomplished in myriad ways. Personally, I prefer what is called “the Method” or “Method acting,” a concept developed by Konstantin Stanislavsky, a late-19th/ early-20th century Russian theatre director and actor with an abundance of time on his hands. The Method involves “sense memory,” essentially drawing upon your own personal experiences and memories to bring those of your character to life. So, in our scene snippets above, the actor playing JANET might draw upon her own turbulent romantic past in order to build up and cry on cue. Similarly, the actor playing BOB might think back to when he lost a beloved pet in order to give the moment his all and cry on cue over HELEN leaving with Sparky. If, however, the actors playing JANET and BOB don’t possess memories comparable to their character’s respective experiences (JANET actress has never been dumped and BOB actor has never lost a dog) this is by no means insurmountable. You can reverse them. In other words, JANET can be thinking of losing her dog when RICHARD leaves and BOB can be thinking of getting dumped when he loses the dog. It doesn’t really matter. This skill set is at least as useful in real life as it is in the arts. For example: WIFE (livid): What do you mean you “forgot” date night?! (beat) We had tickets to the ballet! HUSBAND (remorsefully): I know, honey, I’m so sorry. (beat) You know how I love the ballet! Now in this scenario, it would be particularly useful if HUSBAND can work up some tears to convey his genuine sadness at having missed the ballet. So he might use his “beat” to think of a missed baseball game versus the ballet. Or you can use Visine. Wilson has worked in television, film, commercials, voiceovers and the theater. He currently resides in Los Angeles, having left “normal” employment a few years back for the relative security and stability of a “full-time actor,” which is really more an expression than a reality. He majored in Blue Bards, though his diploma might say political science.
Your Instructor USAFA Men’s Tennis Coach Dan Oosterhous ’93 A good tennis player is an athlete and an artisan, mastering and executing an array of moves on the court. Among these is a trick shot, not for the faint of heart. The tweener, aptly named for its trajectory between the player’s legs, is a “Hail Mary” pass of sorts as the player races away from the net to rescue a lob before it sails hopelessly out of reach. Here’s how it’s done—as the ball passes over your head and descends below your waist, reach forward with your racquet fully extended and make contact with the ball, capturing it with a downward swipe and swinging through, sending the ball between your legs and aloft, over the net, a live ball. This is a fun shot, but not a maneuver I want my players to hit in competitive matches because there are better options—namely getting around the ball and returning it with a strong forehand. Visit the USAFA men’s tennis team’s YouTube page (https:// youtu.be/NG44rLWlN0A) to watch a video of C3C Lucas Fumagalli, a member of the squad, demonstrating a tweener. Next time you’re on the court, give it a try—good luck! Oosterhous just concluded his sixth season as the head coach of the men’s tennis team at the Air Force Academy, leading the Falcons to 10 wins, including a 4-3 win over Army. During the 2013-14 season he coached the squad to a 13-12 record, their best season since 2006 and the most wins in one campaign since 2005. The Falcons also achieved their highest national rank in program history at No. 63.
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Your Instructor Author and aviation safety expert Dr. Charles Justiz ’74 1. Write the elevator speech – Start with a single sentence of not more than twenty-five words that describes your book. You have to start somewhere and I’ve found this to be incredibly useful since your friends and family, noticing your absence from all social events due to your incessant fiddling, will ask what your book is about. You can disarm them with something like, “A mid-level businessman and a research scientist become targets of a deadly drug cartel attempting to raid futuristic technologies developed by their company.” It will keep you focused for the next part of your journey and fool friends and family into leaving you alone to write. 2. Write – This part can be different for different writers. I start with an outline of around twenty pages or so and then fill it in. This is the hardest concept for a novice writer to understand. A writer writes. The first draft just has to get out of your head and into some form that another person can read. 40
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And for all that is holy, don’t let anyone else read it. Some people think that novelists have perfect phrasing, sentence structure, plot, and character development descend from the heavens to settle on the page in impeccable order. These people also believe in elves and are not to be trusted with sharp objects. In reality, your first draft, for all your effort, will leave the impression of crude hopscotch boxes drawn in chalk on the pavement by children. This necessarily forces you to the next step. 3. Reread and rewrite – Writing is rewriting. Your characters are compelling? Fine. Make them more compelling. Your story has conflict? Add persuasive struggles. Most important of all—your story has fluff? Jettison the fluff. Your reader’s time is valuable. Every word has to drive the story forward or else it must die. 4. Bring in an outside editor – This is going to hurt. You have presented this person with this perfect child you have nurtured with
your blood and time. The editor is going to tell you the baby’s ugly. They’re going to point out flaws in your story line, contradictions, malapropisms, and other words I had to look up. If you trust your editor, you have to go back to step 3. If you don’t trust your editor, you’re still going to go back to step 3 because your first reader didn’t like it. 5. Release it to the wild – No novel has ever been published that the novelist thought was perfect. Readers may feel that way, but never the writer. So the idea is to get your novel out there and circle back to step 1 for the next book. Good luck. Justiz is the author of Book of the Year nominee Specific Impulse. A former NASA Research Pilot, Justiz is now a corporate aviation safety consultant and is working on the follow-up to his science-based thriller. You can learn more about his work by visiting charlesjustiz.com.
Your Instructor Filmmaker, author and entrepreneur Charles A. Baird ’94 As a filmmaker and adventurer, I frequently find myself in fun but precarious situations and I often reflect back to what I learned in SERE training or other survival training programs I’ve completed. A few years ago I decided to live alone for a year on a remote island in Alaska. Alaska has a wide variety of environments and this island was in a subarctic rainforest. Obviously, it’s cooler than the stereotypical Amazonian rainforest, but a boreal rainforest has many of the same characteristics and challenges. I found that one of the greatest challenges in building my cabin was dealing with moisture. It’s nearly impossible to stay warm if you are wet and this was a constant issue in the cabin. With eighty inches of rain and 275 inches of snow, there was no shortage of water. I would sleep in the cabin even while I was building it to avoid bears. At night the temperatures would drop and moisture would condense on the inside walls. Within
days, this led to massive swaths of mold on the walls. I tried scrubbing the walls and even used some of my rubbing alcohol to try to kill it but nothing worked. The solution was actually fairly simple though I’ve never heard of this issue before. The trick was to finish the insulation and install the Visqueen vapor barrier on the inside of the cabin. I had been so busy with other issues that I didn’t realize how important it was to finish this part of the job quickly. The insulation reduced the temperature differential between the inside and out which reduced condensation. The non-permeable plastic Visqueen sheet prevented any condensation from soaking into the wood, which would have continued to promote mold. I also left the windows open to ensure the moisture could flow out. The outer wall had a semipermeable Tyvek vapor barrier which allows moisture to flow out but not into the wall (more or less). Within one day, the moldy
smell was gone and I never saw another sign of mold. By using the right materials in the right order, I came to realize that you can control moisture flow as well as heat flow. A cabin shouldn’t be thought of as a box. It’s more like a lake formed by a dammed river; you have to control how much goes in and how much goes out. Staying warm and dry is critical to your safety in a survival situation or a homesteading environment. Controlling the moisture levels in your home can be fairly simple when planned out properly. These basic steps will eliminate moisture problems and may help protect your health. Baird has served as a military officer and in various roles in corporate America. He is currently working on several movies and an extreme adventure film series titled Alaskan Pioneer.
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Celebrate at Doolittle Hall PRIVATE PARTIES . RECEPTIONS . MEETINGS 719.472.0300
USAFA.ORG
It seems like only yesterday ... USAFA Reunions
2015
We welcome back the classes of
1960,1965,1970,1975,1980, 1985,1990,1995, and 2005 www.usafa.org/reunions
TO MARS! A MEMBER OF THE MARS ONE 100 ON THE SPACE IMPERATIVE OF OUR TIME.
* LT. COMMANDER OSCAR MATHEWS ’04
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Lately, it seems everyone is stepping on NASA’s traditional turf. The on-going HiSEAS analogue missions in Hawaii and the Mars Society’s Mars Desert Research Station crews continue to do good work on Earth as they have for years, but now we see exciting developments in the private sector, in a “new space” start-up atmosphere. Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShip series, XCOR aerospace’s Lynx, Sierra Nevada’s Dreamchaser, and Firefly Space Systems Firefly α and Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket for smallsat payloads all bring something different to the exciting times we are living in. SpaceX and Boeing have entries in the Commercial Crew Resupply contract, filling launch opportunities most recently accomplished by the successful (yet arguably hugely expensive) shuttle program, which ended in 2011. In this mix, also in 2011, Mars One was founded and began its discussion of a mission plan architecture focused entirely on a one-way mission of exploration. Exciting stuff! Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
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WHO IS MARS ONE?
2027
As many already know, Mars One is the nonprofit Dutch foundation co-founded by CEO Bas Lansdorp and CTO Arno Weilders that intends to raise money and accomplish the first private space colonization attempt on Mars in 2027, when the first team of four colonists is slated to land. Well-received in the press, a series of missteps in public relations has Mars One competing with a few vocal detractors who claim the mission concept is flawed on its face. With Mars One’s soon-to-be published Paragon Space Environmental Engineering and Life Support System (ECLSS) engineering study, the organization hopes to quell any anxiety from the past few months and show the world that it is not afraid to take some constructive criticism and improve its initial plan in a series of iterative changes. Mars One, more than anyone, wants the first crewed mission to Mars to be as successful and as safe as possible.
Once Dr. Kraft had interviewed all 663 candidates on technical knowledge retention and public speaking ability, a decision was made in committee to select just 100 individuals to move on in the selection round. The information to be memorized included temperature bands, Mars seasonal variations, radiation levels, shielding levels, planetary parameters, prior-year science missions and outcomes since the 1960 Korabl missions, percent success rates for countries attempting missions to Mars, pillars of the Mars One mission, geological history of Mars and much more. Only the serious student of Mars need apply! The Mars 100 are indeed an amazing group to learn about, as we exchange various viewpoints within the much broader space colonization discussion. The mars-one.com website relays that “39 [candidates] came from the Americas, 31 from Europe, 16 from Asia, 7 from Africa, and 7 from Oceania.”
From an initial applicant pool of 202,586 individuals who began their applications (consisting of a 70 second video answering three questions about their rationale for going, and a short series of psychological and personality questionnaires), Mars One weeded out candidates who did not take the mission to settle another planet seriously, and selected down to 1,058 Round 2 applicants. The down-select to 663 applicants occurred after a medical screening similar to a Class III FAA medical examination, (which surprisingly revealed some candidates with cancer, potentially saving their lives), and full, public access to their application videos. The most recent semi-final “Mars 100” selection occurred after being given multiple sources of technical and press release information about the mission, and being told to memorize the knowledge elements for a personal 15 minute interview with Dr. Norbert Kraft, MD, JAXA and NASA astronaut selection expert via Spark Hire.
Six groups of four will be selected to continue training as full-time employees of Mars One’s astronaut corps later in 2015. Whole teams or individuals may be dropped from training and asked to restart their training process from the beginning if the team dynamics do not pan out for the long-term. What differentiates Mars One from a typical NASA selection process, where individual education or flight test experience prior to cohort selection and the typical “Type A” personality is weighed more heavily, is Mars One’s focus on pure teamwork and lifetime team research potential. The final group of 24 (or perhaps more) and the first four to go to Mars will have had 8 years of training to prepare them, which allows people without strictly science backgrounds to apply and succeed. The whole world will be watching and supporting them when the first privately-supported, international team lands in 2027 (subject to change).
IS THIS FOR REAL? The idea that human beings can thrive on the surface of Mars is indeed now possible within our lifetimes. The Mars-One.com website “Technology” section reads: “Permanent settlement allows Mars One to use technology that is not substantially different from
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existing systems. The hardware specifically needed for this mission still needs to be designed, built, and tested extensively, but the technology already exists. Mars One is not an aerospace company and will not design or manufacture mission hardware. All equipment will be developed by third party suppliers and integrated in their established facilities.”
What Mars One means when they say “no new technology is required to get us to Mars” is an idea — conveyed best with a simple illustration: imagine a person wanting to fly from NYC to LA has to spend 6 hours on the plane to get there. Mars One is saying we need to upgrade our plane to get there in 3 hours, but the idea of a plane does not need to be invented. Testing and expanding current technology is not the same as having to invent unknown engineering articles and prototypes.
SHOULD WE LEAVE EARTH? Most people I speak with support the idea of humans eventually leaving Earth. The discussion on specifics usually centers on “the when” and “the how.” Not many argue how unprepared we would be for an extinction-level event (rogue asteroid, plague, etc.), and not many argue the benefits of having another island of humanity next door. There is near-universal agreement, in principle, that humanity is destined to become a two-planet species. There are some people on Earth who passionately believe in causes apart from colonization of Mars. To them I say bravo; I also truly support the vast majority of these efforts — efforts to provide clean drinking water to the world’s population that has no access to it (soon to be all of us), efforts to solve the problem of homelessness, and domestic violence, corruption, gerrymandering, or the scourge of cancer. These Earth-first causes are laudable and yet essentially independent of whether humans are on Mars. In many cases, the source of the conflict for Earth-First causes is entirely of our own, human, making.
If space exploration were truly limiting EarthFirst causes, then the time from the last crewed shuttle mission until today could have offered savings enough to solve various worthy efforts. The truth is, that crewed space exploration is such a small amount of what we spend on terrestrial projects, that it must be due to some other technical or scientific hurdle we did not solve world hunger from the moment of STS-135’s last flight for NASA’s space shuttle program until now. The shuttle program cost US tax-payers approximately $6–7 billion per year, so from FY 2011 until now almost $24–28 billion could have been spent elsewhere. The total cost of the space shuttle program from 1981 to 2011 was nearly $200 billion, while just FY 2013 charity spending in the U.S. was $335.17 billion. In the end, it seems space and other worthy causes are not dependent on each other in any real way. In short, there do not seem to be any substantive philosophical or fiscal reasons not to go to Mars.
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JAMESTOWN COLONY PARALLELS
Living just down the road from Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg, I feel I have a special viewpoint on the colonial argument by symmetry. The 1600s Virginia landscape was just as deadly for English colonists, wholly unprepared to farm the land, wholly unprepared to trade or fight the native population, wholly unprepared for myriad unknown diseases and threats like dysentery. The winters were especially brutal for them, since they were in a mini ice-age. And yet they survived and began the story of Colonial America and — ultimately — of the United States. Can we not say, without torturing the analogy, that colonizing Mars is no less daunting….and possible?
REASONS WHY IT SHOULD HAPPEN There are abundant reasons for leaving Earth in small, yet growing numbers, and establishing a permanent human presence on Mars. Astronaut “Buzz” Aldrin recently spoke with Congress to kick-start NASA’s leadership and bring our Representatives the message permeating public consciousness. China or India may even beat the U.S. to the punch, if we do not adopt a one-way mentality, he explained to the Senate subcommittee.
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This opens Mars One up to the criticism that it has no hardware of its own, and must rely in part on private investment and “crowdfunding” to pay for its mission plan. In the end, Mars One is a business development company that also does Mars settler selection and training. One could argue the direction a modern NASA is heading is very much the same direction — commercial crew and Russian access have constrained crewed missions lately and, for the foreseeable future, NASA will also buy (rather than develop) its launch services while training its own astronauts.
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2027
Author Marc Kaufman reports 84% of Americans fully support sending humans to Mars if signs of life were detected on the surface. Additionally, the technology presently exists to solve some formidable obstacles in long-term settlement: 3D printing will enable use of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) to replace components. This billion-dollar industry is slated to grow exponentially in the next few years. Entirely new sections of habitat could be created under the fledgling “contour crafting” 3D printing technique pioneered by people like Madhu Thangavelu, at the University of Southern California, and Norman Foster, for the European Space Agency (ESA). Inflatable habitat modules using Vectran, a liquid crystal polyarylate superfiber, are being deployed. Such modules can dramatically lower mass-requirements for colonization, which translates into reduced risk for the most dangerous mission segment a mission to Mars faces: Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) to the surface. Low-density (inflatable) technology for dealing with EDL is being tested in June 2015 for
up to 3.5 tons in a NASA demonstrator vehicle, launched by the U.S. Navy. Space radiation shielding research is also proceeding apace, a very active research area since the 1960’s with Levy and Levine, the 1990’s with Duke University’s H. Cocks’ work in active/ deployed shielding, and even in the 2000–2010’s with Spellini, Rossi and Townsend (to name a few). Even current technology provides for adequate forecasting of solar particle events and active and passive values for the radiation we will encounter. Departure trajectory control (as used in the Apollo missions) deals with avoidable exposure through the inner and outer Van Allen belts. A recent NASA Challenge contest for space radiation mitigation featured reuse of a cycling passive shield concept whose launch costs were recovered across multiple missions. Radiation on the surface of Mars is dealt with by creating shielding with piled regolith on the habitat — providing an equivalent protection level recorded on Earth’s surface. Spacecraft shielding techniques may well protect us on the surface, negating the need to dig below or re-adapt a lava tube concept.
DO YOU HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY?
Across: Oscar Mathews at Final Frontier Design, in Brooklyn, New York. Below: This image of a circular depression on the surface of Mars was acquired on Jan. 5, 2015 by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). NASA image.
The engineering benefits of space are all around us. Space exploration has given us artificial hearts, ATM’s, weather satellites and satellite imagery, GPS, high temperature ceramics, memory foam, breast cancer tumor screening, corrosion coatings, and cataract detection—just to mention a few of the thousands of NASA spin-offs. Extending humanity to Mars will also have unintended benefits, specifically in 3D Printing, closed-loop recycling and end-to-end manufacturing, sustainable growth models, vehicle design, fuel cell and solar cell design. It could lead the way to a potential trillion-dollar new industry: deep-space mining of abundant
asteroid minerals just beyond Mars’ orbit. The most important reason to explore Mars may not be to answer the fundamental question: Is there life on Mars? Perhaps the most important reason is to allow our children to dream BIG. If you have children, the benefits of space exploration and Mars colonization suddenly become personal and very real. Student enrollment for STEM math, engineering and science curriculum during the Space Shuttle era (beginning where Apollo 17 left off in 1972) more than doubled during the years from 1972–2010. Our nation’s youngest scholars have always been its most ardent supporters of space exploration. We owe it to them to give them a future worth dreaming about. What Mars One needs is your support. They need people to believe the project has merit and serves to promote the very best in humanity. We need to hear the collective yearning of 400 generations of humans expressed in this singular moment in our history. We need you to believe that, when you look to Mars — years from now — you will know it to be a planet with a small, but tough, colony thriving on its surface. You can transform your energy into action to help make it happen, right now.
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THE EMPOWERING VISION There is, however, a personal and romantic reason for wanting to go to Mars. Now, I don’t expect to cure the most die-hard pessimists who would rather not even leave their bed in the morning (and they know who they are), let alone the planet, but for those of you who will approach the idea with an open mind, I entreat you to consider the possibilities of living on Mars. The great science fiction author, Mr. Kim Stanley Robinson, speaks in near-poetic terms of Martian landscapes and the human will to understand the unknown is his seminal trilogy: Red Mars, Blue Mars, Green Mars. To me, his words kindle a fire of discovery. His words ignite a need to find out — first-hand — and bring the
glorious tales home to those who wish to hear them. America (and the world) needs those embers, now smoldering and long-neglected, to be stoked into an inferno of discovery and renewal. Our new future, both rugged and dazzling in the darkness, must be invented. Our children can dream of a land like the English did just 400 years ago. Our Martian stories could speak of the kilometer-cliffs, chasms 200 km long and a hundred across. Fantastically-colored vistas spread out in my imagination, teleporting me to the first blue-hued sunset, giving way to the dizzying and spectacular feast of stars prepared in the heavens, wrapped in the hazy dinner linen of the Milky Way. Our home is not just Earth, but the cosmos from end to end.
THE BLUE SUNSET (MARS) planet Earth. We can bequeath to our posterity the providence of a new planet, a Red Mars, ancient and glorious and promising, itself foretelling of future worlds of wonder. With peace and hope for all mankind, I think those first humans on Mars would thank the Earth for believing in them — thank the Earth that considered the capacity for change a small group of people could have on our world, with the passionate support of many. That humanity allowed the most tenuous of hopes to penetrate its long-held beliefs to challenge the status quo. Life as we know it will radically change on Earth unless we change ourselves to its insistent call — a call echoed through vast lengths of space, filling us with imaginations of life likely existing on 100 billion billion other worlds. We must actively self-reflect, evolve, and become the solutions we seek to save our home. Occasionally, as in this moment, we must yearn for that cosmos, the original home from which we all came, to push the limits of knowledge that may end up saving us all — by the grace and gift of a new land.
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We can be the people who prepare our descendants to inherit the same love of learning, hard work and resourcefulness that defined American exceptionalism of the past. We as a World can once-again “boldly go” as Spock did in Star Trek (the original series), and provide that spark of child-like wonder and imagination to “seek out new life and new civilizations” to our children, along with a preserved
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SERVANT LEADERSHIP USAFA Endowment
C
haracter and leadership development is at the center of the mission of the Air Force Academy and is woven into every aspect of its fabric including academics, military training, and athletic participation. It is also at the heart of its mandatory character and leadership education programs established and implemented through the Commandant’s office. This foundational training begins with character and leadership classes conducted during Basic Cadet Training (BCT) and continues every year through a series of seminars designed to deliver intense and highly concentrated character and leadership training. Most importantly, these seminars create an opportunity for cadets to interact directly with graduates and other leaders in a mentoring environment like no other. Each year, seminars are conducted and enhanced through private support. More than 900 volunteer mentors facilitate character and leadership lessons as they lead small groups of cadets in discussions on topics such as human dignity, moral and physical courage, and ethical reasoning. This education plan is built on a four-year structure that is designed to complement the Officer Development System. The primary focus during the fourth-class year is personal understanding and moves towards interpersonal skill development during the
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third-class year. The focus shifts towards team development during the second-class year and culminates with an attention towards organizational improvement during a cadet’s final year at the Academy. This structure is not just designed to teach character and leadership, but also to build the best possible servant leaders of character for the Air Force and our nation. The Academy has established four Centers for Character and Leadership Development seminars as graduation requirements and as a part of the Academy Course of Instruction. These seminars include VECTOR (Vital Effective Character Through Observation and Reflection) for fourth-class cadets, Respect and Responsibility (R&R) for third-class cadets, LIFT (Leaders In Flight Today) for second-class cadets, and ACES (Academy Character Enrichment Seminar) for first-class cadets. Private funding plays a critical role in these seminars since they are designed to take cadets out of a typical classroom environment and provide a memorable teaching event. Fourth-class cadets begin their character and leadership journey by attending VECTOR. This 12-hour, two-part program (Part I in the Fall and Part II in the Spring), is conducted with smaller groups of cadets throughout the year, and provides cadets with the opportunity to interact directly with mentors in a small group setting to discuss topics such as integrity, priority
setting, the establishment of personal life assessments, and the importance of individual reflection. It also challenges cadets to establish a personal life vision. Development of a strong personal foundation is the core outcome of VECTOR. Along with other materials, cadets are exposed to various leadership styles through popular movie clips and are then challenged to explore personal solutions to ethical dilemmas. Conducted primarily at the ABL (Adventure Based Learning) Course, the R&R eight-hour seminar/outdoor adventure program is completed by third-class cadets. This daylong seminar is conducted outdoors at ABL and is designed to take the cadets out of their normal environment and immerse them into a series of activities, involving courage and physical risk. The primary focus of the seminar is to highlight topics such as trust, respect, accountability, and support. Specifically, it is designed to provide third-class cadets leadership skills as they transition into a supervisory role of fourth-class cadets. Second-class cadets take part in LIFT, a small-group, eight-hour seminar with a strong emphasis placed on servant leadership and teamwork. LIFT training includes a personality assessment that is designed to help cadets understand their personality traits and how to best interact with other team members who have a diversity of such traits. Team-building exercises are also incorporated to improve effective communication and interpersonal skills, model positive motivation, and promote servant leadership through personal accountability. A cadet’s mandatory character and leadership development seminar journey culminates with ACES. This off-site, all day seminar is specifically designed to engage cadets with mentors, retired officers, non-commissioned officers and guest lecturers in discussions about the character and ethical demands placed on Air Force officers. Attendees gain exposure to a series of discussions centering on ethical dilemmas they may face as a first-class cadet leader and in their military careers. There is a special emphasis placed on the critical role that first-class cadets play in teaching and developing character traits in other cadets, and an emphasis on how servant leaders shape the Air Force, the community, and the world. Each year, support for character and leadership development programs supplements the basic necessities of preparing cadets for service through a variety of character and leadership through every stage of the cadet experience. Private philanthropy has always been an integral part in this process by providing the resources needed to take these learning experiences out of a traditional classroom setting and into a seminar format, where cadets are encouraged to interact with outside mentors and fellow cadets in a unique environment. Private support funds the expenses of guest speakers, books, mementos, food and use of facilities. For many, cadets these seminars provide a memorable and lasting lesson in servant leadership.
2012 DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE, LT. GEN. (RET.) MARCUS A. ANDERSON ’61, has made a special investment in the character and leadership development of cadets by providing support to establish two separate endowments for both the Vital Effective Character Through Observation and Reflection (VECTOR) and the Respect & Responsibility (R&R) programs. General Anderson served as the Commandant of Cadets at the Air Force Academy from 1984-1986, where he was instrumental in upgrading cadet facilities, expanding the airmanship programs and improving the pride and morale of the Cadet Wing following the spring 1984 honor scandal. General Anderson is an advocate for character and leadership education. “Giving back to the Academy is a privilege,” Anderson explained. “The Academy provided the solid foundation of character and integrity that carried me through my active duty career and beyond.”
PROVIDING SUPPORT Class giving started with the Class of 1959, and each and every class since then has continued with this great tradition. Over the years, classes have donated to almost every aspect of the Academy. Among the Class of 1967’s five fundraising initiatives for their 50th reunion are ACES and Lift. The class has set an ambitious fundraising goal of raising $215,000 by the end of 2016, in support of both programs. “Our class sees this as a great opportunity to honor the commitments made by the cadets to the Air Force,” said Roger Carleton, who serves as a class giving officer. “The gift from our class will support them on their journey to becoming lieutenants.” If you would like to support character and leadership development at the academy please visit www.usafa.org/Give.
GIVING BY THE NUMBERS NUMBER OF PAID SABRE SOCIETY DONORS DONORS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED $1,000 OR MORE TO THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY FUND BY YEAR.
2010
2011
2012
2013
GIVING HIGHLIGHTS DONORS BY LEVEL THIS TABLE SHOWS THE NUMBER OF DONORS WHO MADE TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE USAFA ENDOWMENT AT VARIOUS GIVING LEVELS DURING 2014.
2014
893 901 1,038 1,196 1,235
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DONOR LEVEL
NUMBER OF DONORS
$1M - $5M ...................................................2 $500K-$999.9K ............................................6 $250K-$499.9K ............................................5
POLARIS SOCIETY MEMBERS
$100K-$249.9K ..........................................10 $25K-$99.9K ..............................................45
DONORS WHO HAVE DESIGNATED THE
$10K-$24.9K ..............................................49
ACADEMY AS A BENEFICIARY IN THEIR
$5K-$9.9K ..................................................91
ESTATE PLANS AND HAVE MADE THE
$1K-$4.9K .............................................1,456
USAFA ENDOWMENT AWARE OF
Less than $1K .......................................6,552
THEIR INTENTIONS.
Total Number of donors ........... 8,216
NUMBER OF GRADUATE DONORS USAFA GRADUATES WHO MADE A GIFT TO THE ACADEMY THROUGH EITHER THE ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES OR THE USAFA ENDOWMENT BY YEAR.
4,636
2010
4,798
2011
4,942
2012
5,810
1,468
5,152
2013
2014
FIRST TIME DONORS – 2014
For the full list of giving by the numbers visit usafa.org/givingbythenumbers
Captain Kyle L. Babbitt ’08 is presented with the 2015 Jabara Award at a formal dinner held at Doolittle Hall on May 1. From left: AOG President and CEO, William “T” Thompson ’73; USAFA Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson ’81; Capt. Babbitt; and AOG Board Chair, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Roger Carleton ’67. (USAFA Photo/Liz Caplan).
EXCEPTIONAL AIRMANSHIP
Captain Kyle L. Babbitt ’08 Named 2015 Jabara Award Recipient By Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steven A. Simon ’77 U.S. Air Force Academy Development and Alumni Programs
Captain Kyle L. Babbitt, Air Force Academy Class of 2008, has been selected to receive the 2015 Colonel James Jabara Award for Airmanship. Captain Babbitt, a member of Air Combat Command, distinguished himself through sustained superior performance as an A-10C pilot deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. “This year’s competition was extremely tough, and you can be proud of your selection. It is a true testament of your exemplary performance and professionalism,” wrote Academy Superintendent, Lieutenant General Michelle Johnson ’81, in a congratulatory letter to Captain Babbitt informing him of his selection. Captain Babbitt was one of eight Air Force Academy graduates nominated for the Jabara Award this year by Major Commands, Forward Operating Agencies, and Direct Reporting Units.
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Between September 2013 and October 2014, Captain Babbitt deployed with the 75th Fighter Squadron as a volunteer and with his own squadron, the 303rd Fighter Squadron. During the 14-month period, 11 of which he was deployed, Captain Babbitt flew more than 130 combat sorties and amassed more than 470 combat hours in support of American, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and Afghanistan National Security Forces troops. He directly engaged the enemy with precise, lethal firepower against high-value targets and individuals on 14 occasions, regularly overcoming difficult weather, visibility problems, dangerous terrain, and communication issues. Among his many accomplishments, Captain Babbitt conducted more than 20 treacherous low-altitude shows of force at 100 feet above ground level and speeds of up 350 miles per hour, saved
coalition forces pinned down by small arms and machine gun fire, and coordinated seamless operations with other aircraft, to include AC-130 gunships and AH-64 Apache helicopters. Over that time period, he was the A-10 community’s most active combat pilot, in terms of sorties and hours flown. “His combat service in Afghanistan over the last thirteen months has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Colonel Scott E. Caine, Vice Commander, Ninth Air Force, in a memorandum endorsing Captain Babbitt’s nomination. Captain Babbitt joins an extremely exclusive group, becoming the fifty-fourth Air Force Academy graduate selected for the Jabara Award. Among the previous winners are such notable alumni as Vietnam War heroes Karl Richter ’64 and Steve Ritchie ’64, pioneering astronaut Karol Bobko ’59, and Hudson River landing pilot Chesley Sullenberger ’73. Established in 1967, the
Colonel James Jabara Airmanship Award is presented to a USAFA graduate, living or deceased, whose actions directly associated with an aerospace vehicle set him/her apart from contemporaries. Upon notification of his selection, Captain Babbitt said, “I am honored and humbled to receive this award.” The annual award is jointly presented on behalf of the Academy, the Association of Graduates, and the Jabara family. Colonel James Jabara was the first jet ace and the second leading ace in the Korean
War. In 1951, he won the Air Force Association’s most prestigious award and in 1957 was recognized as one of the 25 Americans who had contributed the most to aviation. Captain Babbitt’s exceptional airmanship, dynamic leadership, outstanding initiative, and unparalleled achievements reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. The Academy, the AOG, and the Jabara family are proud to name Captain Kyle L. Babbitt the recipient of the 2015 James Jabara Airmanship Award.
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steven A. Simon ’77 is the Academy’s graduate liaison, working in the Development and Alumni Programs office. In addition to his extensive non-fiction writing on the history of the Air Force Academy, to include the “This Day in Air Force Academy History” feature, he is the author of two novels, On The Dead Run and Service Before Self.
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FALCON FITNESS FIX
Dan Felix ’74, CFT
Strength is Power The human body has a performance envelope not unlike an aircraft. If the body is asked to perform outside that envelope, then—like an aircraft—it will falter. Muscle strength is the primary contributor to what can be defined as a person’s “performance envelope.” Flexibility and stamina are other factors, but strength plays the greatest role. All body movements rely on a balanced and coordinated orchestration of muscle contractions throughout an otherwise loose skeleton. If any set of muscles cannot keep up with the other muscles, then a person can fall, dislocate a joint, lose normal coordination, or a multitude of other scenarios, from minor to serious. As the core determinant of performance, strength is not a vanity; it is an essential. Stay strong and you can participate in life. Lose strength and you can’t participate. It’s that simple. Fortunately, people at any age can gain or regain strength in their muscles, so long as those muscles are capable of an intentional contraction. STRUGGLE The muscle in fact must struggle. It will not change or adapt if you do not repeatedly ask the muscle to struggle in accomplishing a particular movement. Such a request must be rational, repeated, and specific to be successful. Cross-training is effective for overall conditioning, but targeted resistance training is the most effective way to persuade a specific muscle or muscle group to change significantly. EXERCISE. REST. REPEAT. Muscle growth does not actually happen on the workout floor or on the sports field. As a matter of science, it happens during sleep, mostly during deep sleep. Avoid training harder than the recovery rate of your body, or you will lose muscle instead of gaining it. Slightly too much rest and recovery is better than too little. Make sure that you sufficiently 60
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rest the body in general, and the muscle group you are focusing on specifically. PULL IN THE NUTRIENTS Contrary to popular legend, you cannot “push” protein into the muscles by gulping down masses of food and protein drinks. The truth is that your body can only store a small amount of protein and the excess will be converted to body fat. The better strategy is to “pull” in the nutrients by creating a demand that results in a bigger and more
frequent appetite. For purposes of muscle gain, eat whenever you feel slightly hungry and never eat unless you are slightly hungry. If you eat anything when your body is not at least slightly hungry, then there is only one thing the body can do—store that intake as body fat. MEASURE THE LIFT, NOT THE BODY Muscles will always get stronger before they get bigger. Do not be distracted by muscle size, even if that is your goal. The body will naturally add mass when it needs to. If your resistance training is progressive, then each muscle will reach a point where it has to materially increase its size to meet the demands you are placing on it. Measure your progress only in pounds lifted, not in body weight or muscle measurements.
Body weight and muscle size fluctuate for many reasons that may be unrelated to your workout strategy, and trying to respond to every fluctuation is counter productive. WHAT TO EXPECT The results achieved from a conscientious strength building program seem to have some predictable patterns: Muscles will become more efficient before they become stronger. g Muscles will become stronger before they become bigger. g Building muscle beyond its normal proportion to the body requires extraordinary effort, and that effort must be rigorously sustained or the muscle will return to a normally proportioned size. g
If you start a muscle building program, you need to know it will take some time to get the results. Some people want the maximum they can get in size and strength. Others will be quite satisfied to achieve more modest fitness goals. Virtually anyone can acquire a good level of strength if they are patient and take the time needed for the desired changes to surface. Stay strong. Enjoy life. _________________________________ I am glad to answer any questions you may have about specific routines or diets. Just e-mail them to dan@danfelixcft.com Dan Felix has been fitness training for more than 25 years and has multiple certifications, including Certified Fitness Trainer from the International Sports Sciences Association and the American Red Cross Advanced First Aid certification.
Set sail in good company
Hit play on your dream vacation. usafa.org/Membership/Travel
THE CLASS OF IN NUMBERS 1,137 Processed into the Academy 840 Graduates 660 Graduating Men 180 Graduating Women 360 Going to Pilot Training 18 Going to Remotely Piloted Aircraft 7 Going to Air Battle Manager Training 11 Going to Combat Systems Operator Training
2015 HISTORIC NUMBERS 47,889 Graduates to Date 42,697 Male Graduates 5192 Female Graduates 633 General Officers FUN FACTS 64 Second-Generation Graduates 48 Second-Child Graduates 3 Third-Child Graduates 3 Sets of Twins
Integrity First Service Before Self Excellence in All We Do
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A HERO’S SACRIFICE Academy grad laid to rest 45 years after losing life in Vietnam
By Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steven A. Simon ’77 U.S. Air Force Academy Development and Alumni Programs
T
he funeral for a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate killed in the Vietnam War was held April 14 at the Cadet Chapel here, nearly 45 years after he gave his life serving his country.Capt. Richard D. Chorlins, Class of 1967, was laid to rest at the Air Force Academy Cemetery. His remains were transferred here April 13 in a dignified arrival ceremony with Academy airmen and cadets lining up to pay their respects. In 1970, then 1st Lt. Chorlins was assigned to the 602nd Special Operations Squadron at Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. On Jan. 11, his A-1H Skyraider was struck by ground fire and crashed into a mountain during a night mission over the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. Chorlins’ death was officially confirmed Jan. 13 and he was posthumously promoted to captain Jan. 14. His remains were returned to the U.S. in 2003, but not identified until 2013. Chorlins, of University City, Missouri, graduated from the Academy with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He made the superintendent’s list for five semesters and the dean’s list for academic achievement seven of his eight semesters at the Academy. Retired Col. Alex Archibald was one of Chorlins’ Academy classmates.
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“Rick was so intelligent, he didn’t have to study as hard as the rest of us, so he had a pretty strict schedule of about an hour or so of studying each night when the rest of us burned the midnight oil just to stay off the dean’s other lists (academic probation),” Archibald said. Chorlins’ senior-year roommate, retired Col. Dick Tebay, said Chorlins had a sharp sense of humor. Against regulations, the pair kept a hamster in their room, named Reep for the sound it made, he said. “During one of our Saturday morning inspections, as we were standing at attention, Reep got out of the laundry bin, ran around our room only partially hidden under the wall heaters, and proudly announced his presence to our air officer commanding,” Tebay said. “Rick and I marched a few hours with rifles on the Terrazzo in recognition of this indiscretion. As I recall, every time Rick and I passed each other, rodent communication occurred.” Chorlins was also part of Tebay’s wedding. “He was a groomsman at my wedding in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1967,” Tebay said. “As I was getting into my dress uniform just before the wedding, I noticed he had written something in black magic marker on the soles of my shoes. ‘Help’ was there for all to see when Jeannie and I would be kneeling at the altar.”
After graduation from the Academy, Chorlins earned a master’s degree in economics at Georgetown University, Washington D.C. He was one of five cadets in a cooperative program between the Academy and Georgetown. Chorlins met his wife Nancy while attending Georgetown. From Georgetown, Chorlins reported to Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, for undergraduate pilot training. His next training stop was Hurlburt Field, Florida, for follow-on training on the A-1 and then Southeast Asia. Chorlins was interested in returning to the Academy as a faculty instructor after the Vietnam War, said Heather Beer, an Academy Association of Graduates intern. Chorlins’ sacrifice has been honored across the U.S.; his name appears on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. (Panel 14W, line 25) and on the Academy’s War Memorial on the Terrazzo. The Reflections Gallery in the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis also has a display honoring his memory. Each year during pre-graduation festivities at the Academy, the Outstanding Cadet in Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Award is presented in memory of Captain Chorlins. This award is sponsored by the National Ladies Auxiliary and the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, Inc.
“Rick was so intelligent, he didn’t have to study as hard as the rest of us, so he had a pretty strict schedule of about an hour or so of studying each night when the rest of us burned the midnight oil just to stay off the dean’s other lists (academic probation)” Previous page: Rabbi (Maj.) Sarah Schechter, a Cadet Chapel Jewish chaplain, reads from the Torah while the honor guard escorts the casket containing the remains of Capt. Richard D. Chorlins ’67 into the Cadet Chapel at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., April 14, 2015. Chorlins was killed in Vietnam in January 1970. His remains were transferred here April 13, 2015, in a dignified arrival ceremony and he was laid to rest at the Academy Cemetery April 14, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Liz Copan)
MQ-9 Reaper
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FREEZE FRAME THE HAMMER AND THE FEATHER Written by David Bergeman
Five American flags. Two golf balls. Hungry’s feather. During the Apollo Program these objects were discarded during the six human missions to the Moon. They make up a fraction of some 400,000 pounds of junk still residing on the surface of the galaxy’s biggest chunk of cheese. Humans are messy. According to Falconry at the United States Air Force Academy: The Story of the Cadets’ Unique Performing Mascot, which was written by the sixth superintendent of the Academy, Lt. Gen. A.P. Clark, USMA ’36, Hungry was the first flacon to perform at a night football game. Clark explained that one of Hungry’s tail feathers was taken to the Moon by D.R. Scott, USMA ’54, a fellow West Point graduate. Scott had a friend who was a professor at the Academy. He and the two other Apollo 15 astronauts, Al Worden and Jim Irwin, visited the Academy in January 1971, a few months ahead of their mission. They collected two of Hungry’s feathers to bring to the Moon. On August 2, 1971, at the end of the Apollo 15 moonwalk, Commander Scott performed a science demonstration for a live television audience. Scott held Hungry’s feather in one gloved hand and a geological hammer in the other. As there was no air resistance, when he released the objects the feather dropped at the same speed as the hammer and both struck the lunar surface simultaneously. The experiment affirmed Galileo’s theory that gravity accelerates all objects at the same rate regardless of their mass or composition.
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Date: August 2, 1971 Mission: Apollo 15 moonwalk
Image courtesy of NASA.
Subject: Geological Hammer Weight: 1.32 kg
Subject: Falcon Feather Weight: 0.03 kg
Drop Height: 1.6 meters
“Well, in my left hand I have a feather; in my right hand a hammer. I guess one of the reasons we got here today was because of the gentleman named Galileo. A long time ago, he made a rather significant discovery about falling objects in gravity fields; and we thought—where would be a better place to confirm his findings than on the Moon? And, so, we thought we’d try it here for you. The feather is, appropriately, from an Air Force Academy falcon. I’ll drop the hammer and the feather and, hopefully, they’ll hit the ground at the same time.” —Apollo 15 Commander David Scott
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THE ASSOCIATION
GRADUATE DEPENDENT SCHOLARSHIPS ACADEMIC YEAR 2015-2016
S
ince 1987, the AOG Board of Directors has continued its long-standing support for the Graduate Dependent Scholarship Program (GDS). This year, awards of $500 have been approved for twenty children of USAFA graduates. A total of 100 completed applications were sent to a volunteer committee to review and rank. The volunteer committee, consisting of Col. (Ret.) Michael “Scoop” Branham ’77, Col. Cheryl Beineke ’90, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Terry Carroll ’67, Col. (Ret.) Jack Fry ’67, Lt. Col. Jane Gibson ’94, Lt. Col. Daniel and Wendy Hites ’68, Col. Wistaria Joseph ’93, Col. Tim MacGregor ’90, Lt. Col. Rob McCullers ’88 and Ms. Kathryn Smith ’82 devoted considerable time to scoring each applicant’s package. Scores were then consolidated and the twenty applicants, 10 college and 10 high school, with the highest total points were awarded scholarships. The AOG congratulates all of the GDS applicants, especially the winners, for their records of academic achievement, community involvement, and exemplary service. Those selected to receive a scholarship for academic year 2015-2016 are listed below in alphabetical order. The name(s) of USAFA graduates who are parents of the recipients are shown in parentheses. Emily Babski*** – Miss Babski will be a junior at Virginia Tech (Blacksburg). She is studying accounting, finance and cello performance. (Ronald Babski ’85) Heather Brevard** – Miss Brevard will be a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin where she studies computer science. (Michael Brevard ’95, Jennifer (Buss) Brevard ’95) Anna Broshkevitch – Miss Broshkevitch plans on attending Virginia Tech (Blacksburg) where she will study molecular biology and biochemistry. (Andrea Broshkevitch ’87) Adam Burgess** – Mr. Burgess will be a junior at Texas Christian University. He is studying neuroscience with a Spanish minor and hopes to attend medical school in the future. (Robert Burgess ’89) Bridget Cavuoti – Miss Cavouti plans to attend the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley to study Dietetics and become a registered dietitian. (Frank Cavouti ’85) Veronica Cruz*** – Miss Cruz will be a senior at Stanford University. She is studying computer science. (Robert Cruz ’83) Kristina DeGiovanni** – Miss DeGiovanni will be a sophomore at Brown University where she is pursuing a medical degree. (Vincent DeGiovanni ’84, Susan Easter ’84) Alex Frickenstein – Mr. Frickenstein plans to attend Colorado State University and study chemical/biomedical engineering. (Scott Frickenstein ’90) Mary Galey – Miss Galey plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to study biology and public health with intentions of going on to medical school. (Fred Galey, Jr ’89) Ashley Kenney – Miss Kenney plans to attend Marquette University where she will study biomedical sciences and pre-physician assistant studies. (Thomas Kenney ’87)
Rachel Lee** – Miss Lee will be a senior at the University of Denver where she studies accounting. (Montgomery Lee ’76) Nicole Romanzo** – Miss Romanzo will be a sophomore at Siena College and Albany Medical College where she is studying in an eight-year science, humanities and medicine program. (Daniel Romanzo ’91) Cullen Shope – Mr. Shope plans to attend Rice University in Houston, Texas and is planning on studying biomedical engineering. (Patrick Shope ’89) Madison Sievers – Miss Sievers plans to attend New York University to study mathematics, business, and marketing. (Kimberly Baumann ’86 and Kevin Sievers ’89) Jacqueline Sigg – Miss Sigg will be a junior at Baylor University where she is studying management and real estate. (Clinton Sigg ’90) Chad Smith** – Mr. Smith is a senior at the University of Oklahoma where he is studying pre-med with a biology major and a chemistry minor. (Robert Smith ‘82) Isabel Taylor – Miss Taylor plans to attend Colorado State University at Pueblo to study nursing. (James Taylor ’83) Katherine Toldy – Miss Toldy is a junior at the University of Denver. She studies international business and accounting. (Stephen Toldy ’82, Margaret Turete Toldy ’83) Riana Wirthlin – Miss Wirthlin plans to attend Brigham Young University to study molecular biology. (Joseph Wirthlin ’94) Laura Yechensky – Miss Yechensky plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where her path of study will be engineering. (Shannon Gregory ’90 and Daniel Yechensky ’90)
*Asterisks indicate this person has previously won a Graduate Dependent Scholarship. The number of asterisks corresponds to the number of awards the individual has received.
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Patrick Buckley ‘61
Leave your mark, make a difference Patrick Buckley has had many platforms on which to leave his mark, from daily air war planning in Vietnam, leading creation of an ad hoc C-141 Special Ops squadron, to developing and fielding smart weapons, geosynchronous weather satellites and international air traffic management systems. “Thanks to Air Force Academy character development and education I was able to pursue and succeed with challenging and interesting opportunities in my Air Force and civilian life,” says the 1961 graduate. Following retirement as Lt Colonel, he began a 26-year career with Lockheed-Martin, rising to vice-president. “Last of my many unique, challenging and fulfilling projects was to build, from scratch, the national air traffic control system now successfully used in Albania, where we lived for five years.” Following corporate retirement, he and his wife Marilyn settled in Florida. “For the warm water,” Pat says lightly, referencing his Massachusetts roots and Academy activities including ice hockey, lacrosse, and skiing. “We still enjoy time on the slopes, several months annually
at our casita in Spain and visiting far-flung children and families.” When Pat reviewed his estate planning, “To leave a clearly defined inheritance,” he included the USAFA Endowment as the beneficiary of an IRA account. “I want to give back to help the Academy continue preparing superior future leaders.” In addition to helping to secure an exceptional future for cadets who will join you on the long blue line, a bequest or life-income gift to the USAFA Endowment may also lessen the tax burden on your family and estate. For information and assistance, contact Dale Zschoche at dale.zschoche@usafaendowment.org or 719.238.7510.
THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY
ENDOWMENT www.usafa.org/legacy
THE ART OF THE
CAREER TRANSITION THE AOG PROVIDES TOOLS THAT CAN HELP ADVANCE YOUR CAREER.
Written by Beth Wade, AOG Director of Business Operations
D
o you remember the excitement and uncertainty of Inprocessing? Your transition from a life of military service to the civilian workforce can no doubt produce similar emotions. No matter what stage of your career you’re in, the process can be intimidating. You may be confronted with questions you’ve never considered: What is the appropriate interview attire? How do you sum up a career in a one-page resume? Like a fingerprint, every civilian organization is unique— values and expectations can differ dramatically. Job search strategies and skills vary as well, and your AOG wants to provide you with the tools that will keep you prepared for any situation. In the words of the Roman philosopher, Seneca, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” WHERE TO START There are thousands of resources available to help you prepare for your job search. However, which ones can you trust? Your AOG understands the challenges you face,
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and we are working diligently to build upon our current online career center in order to create a single resource you can rely on for assistance throughout your post-military career. The most important first step is to start planning for your transition at least one to two years ahead of time. To be successful in your transition, you have to have thought about and planned for it well in advance. The information in this article can help set you up for success on the other side, so you can enjoy your separation from military service while continuing to lead a rich professional life. UNDERSTAND YOURSELF Understanding yourself means different things for different people but, in some ways, it is the most crucial action you will take in developing and initiating your job search. For some, self-understanding simply means having a goals and priorities conversation with your spouse, close friends, or family. Certainly it is advisable to open a discussion about your future plans and ask their opinion. No one
knows you better than those who are closest to you, so ask them what they can picture you doing after your separation or military retirement, and how choices you make will involve and impact them. You may be surprised to hear what your loved ones say, and it may even open up a career possibility that you had not yet considered. More in-depth self-assessments involve personality testing and career coaching—also good approaches. By whatever methods, truly understanding yourself and the type of work you will find most satisfying will go a long way when you begin researching companies and applying for positions. Ask yourself what kind of company you would be proud to work for—environmentally-conscious, Fortune 100, employee-centric, or some other shared value. Your efforts in this regard will show potential employers that you have taken the time to learn how you can contribute to their team, not just as an employee, but as a person.
Twitter, LinkedIn, or any of the other 200-plus well-known social networking forums of which you may be part. Before engaging in a career search, it is crucial that you understand how your social media presence can both help and hinder your ability to get the job you want. Everything you put out on the World Wide Web contributes to your personal “brand.” Be acutely aware of how an employer may perceive you, if they only saw for example your Facebook page and your job application. All social media, public and private, that is connected to you should consistently reflect the “you” that your employer can expect to show up to work every day.
EXPAND YOUR NETWORK Fortunately, you are nowhere close to being alone in the process of transitioning out of the military or searching for a new career. Innumerable military members have successfully transitioned into the civilian workforce and, though your experiences are unique to you, the challenge is very much the same. Start expanding your network by reaching out to ESTABLISH YOUR PROFESSIONAL BRAND fellow Air Force Academy graduates. If anyone knows where Your public presence is the “you” that everyone in the you have been and is willing to help, it will be fellow grads. world can see. It is to a large degree, a reflection of Connect with your local AOG chapter to find graduates in how you define yourself professionally. Start with your the area. Invite them to have coffee, attend a chapter event, resume. It is important that your resume accurately and ask for their advice. People can only help you if they and efficiently represent you. It is a common concern know what you need help with. Update your LinkedIn prothat one page cannot possibly fit all your experience file and begin connecting with people you know and respect. and what you can bring with you to a new employer. If you have worked with them, write them a sincere recomUnfortunately, no recruiter has time to read through mendation and LinkedIn will do you the favor of asking hundreds, or in some cases thousands, of two- to three- them to write one for you in return. Remember, virtually page resumes. Even if it means paying a professional every time you step out of your front door you are in fact to revise your resume, it will be worth it, and brief but networking, so tell everyone you can what you are looking hard-hitting summary level language works best. Your for and trust that someone will want to help. public presence also includes your profiles on Facebook,
2014 SACC CANDIDATE POOL GRADUATION DECADE
PERCENTAGE
50S
0.04%
60S
1.08%
70S
7.17%
80S
19.63%
90S
24.41%
00S
42.31%
10S
5.29%
NOT SPECIFIED
0.06%
DEGREES
PERCENTAGE
BACHELORS
65.87%
J.D.
0.46%
MASTERS
30.65%
PHD
1.59%
OTHER
1.43%
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RESEARCH IS ESSENTIAL Once you know what type of position best suits your skills and goals, do your research. In a job market full of candidates and open positions, you can set yourself apart by really understanding the organization to which you are applying. Just as your professional brand can help you, the public presence of a potential employer and its employees can provide crucial information. Browsing a website is not enough. Read news articles about the company, discover what philanthropic causes they support, and research their top employees and their backgrounds. Being well-educated about how you can fit into their culture and get along with the current staff will speak volumes in an interview. It will also help you understand if they have an educational or experiential expectation that is not formally listed on the job description. If all of their top employees have master’s degrees or an industry-specific certification, expect that if you want to be taken seriously and move up in the company, you will need the same. If you already have those things, it will be important for you to highlight that in your resume, cover letter, first meeting with a recruiter and/or interview. Should you find that all the jobs you want require an advanced degree or certification, if you have started the process early enough, you will have the time to
add those notches to your belt—or at least get them underway—before you begin to make the transition. There is no need to wait until you have transitioned out of uniform to begin searching for your next career. If you have already transitioned, however, have no fear; it is never too late to start the process. EMBARK ON YOUR SEARCH As a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, you have a wealth of resources at your disposal. You and your experiences are unique, and many employers understand the inherent value of a service academy graduate joining their team. Your AOG, along with the other four federal service academies’ alumni associations, are constantly working to connect with those employers and bring them face-to-face with you at the four Service Academy Career Conferences (SACCs) we host across the country. It is a common misconception that these career fairs are for junior military officers only. Let us set the record straight—employers who attend SACC are looking for a wide range of job experience, from entry level to executive-level. In fact, 43% of our SACC resume database consists of members of the classes 1980-2000. Aside from that, the contacts you make as a SACC candidate will be invaluable as you begin applying for positions. It is a common practice among your fellow graduates to attend one or two SACC events prior to beginning a serious job search. This approach allows you to have a firm grasp on what to expect as you prepare to transition, but also to work on the aforementioned steps of expanding your network and educating yourself. The better you understand yourself, prospective employers, and the job market, the better you can align your public presence with those expectations, and set yourself up for success in your post-military career. No one has ever achieved success alone, which is why your Association and fellow graduates are here to help. Start with a look at the AOG website to read up on the career services we provide, then join or reconnect to your local graduate chapter and begin networking. After that beginning, and on the heels of your initial transition preparations, we in the Business Operations staff hope to assist you in your career search in whatever way we can and look forward to meeting you in person at a future SACC event! Visit usafa.org/Connect/Career to begin your career transition today!
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THEY WANT YOU! Service Academy Career Conference Over 350 companies recruit exclusively for service academy graduates at four events each year! Upcoming events San Diego, CA - Aug. 27-28, 2015 San Antonio,TX - Nov. 19-20, 2015 Savannah, GA - March 3-4, 2016 Visit
www.sacc-jobfair.com
For the company roster, conference schedule, and to register. Questions? Email marketing@aogusafa.org
ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY
S ER V I N G T H E LO N G B LU E L I N E
SAVE THE DATE September 19th - AF vs. Michigan State tailgate October 2nd & 3rd - Navy Weekend October 2nd - D.C. Classic October 3rd - AF vs. Navy Tailgate October 9th - San Antonio Classic October 19th - Atlanta Classic November 21st - AF vs. Boise State Tailgate Want to showcase your business or your graduating class? Consider sponsoring as an individual or organization at one or several of these great events! Contact marketing@aogusafa.org Visit usafa.org to be apart of these exciting fall events!
ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY
A military epic that chronicles the birth of the U.S. Air Force Academy, a Foundation of Honor. The arduous training of America’s future leaders as they prepare to serve, from the jungles of Vietnam to the deserts of the Middle East. “The Cadet” is an accurate, historical saga of the Academy, populated with sympathetic, larger-thanlife characters and immersed in rich period details. “Timeless and absorbing. Beason’s attention-to-detail, woven with high-stakes drama, provides an astonishing and authentic portrayal of the military academy experience. If you really want to know the rigors, the demands, and the joys of what it’s like to be a cadet, this book’s for you!”
—Jerry Pournelle New York Times bestselling author, Nebula and Hugo winner
www.wordfirepress.com Your purchase of “The Cadet” will help further the mission of the Association of Graduates. Mr. Beason will donate a portion of the proceeds to the AOG.
SERVICE BEFORE SELF
2014 ANNUAL REPORT
The Endowment and AOG continue to sucessfully fulfill their missions in support of our Academy. We encourage you to read this year’s annual report to gain a deeper understanding of the impact your collective efforts have had on the Academy. Visit www.usafa.org/Endowment to view the 2014 Annual Report.
THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY
ENDOWMENT
The Class of 2015
POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS The Academy’s Brightest Minds Continue Their Quest for Knowledge. This year, 75 cadets from the Air Force Academy will continue their education in postgraduate programs across the world. The Air Force Education Requirements Board (AFERB) oversees this process through several discrete programs. The National Competitive Scholarship Program (NCSP) places graduates at Draper Labs at MIT and Rice University, the East-West Center at the University of Hawaii, Fulbright, Gates, Hertz, JFK, Marshall, National Science Foundation, RAND, Rhodes, University of Maryland and University of Washington. The Health Professions Scholarships (Medical, Dental and Nursing Schools) place cadets in postgraduate medical programs, and the Graduate School Program (GSP) prepares graduated cadets with teaching degrees so that they may one day return to the Academy as instructors. The following personal cadet stories represent just a few examples of the exceptional graduates among the Class of 2015 who will go on to pursue this wide variety of postgraduate education opportunities. The Alberta Bart Holaday Scholarship Stephen Beaton The Alberta Bart Holaday Scholarship funds two years of graduate study at Oxford University and is administered by Exeter College. During my time at Oxford, I will pursue an MSc by research in inorganic chemistry. Although the U.S. Air Force is the most technologically advanced force in the world, inventing technology to effectively produce and use renewable energy that could power the next generation of aircraft remains an elusive task. For this degree, I will research enzymes that have the potential to efficiently produce renewable fuels. Bio-
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hydrogen and biodiesel are both promising future fuels that also have the possibility of being generated in theater, which would reduce the cost of transporting fuel across the world. At a time when budget constraints present real challenges to Air Force operations, cheaper renewable fuels are an Air Force priority, and my time at Oxford will prepare me to research these solutions. Earle A. and Marion Nutter Scholarship Austin J. Cooner I am extremely honored to be the 2015 Nutter Scholarship recipient. As the recipient, I will be attending Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University studying Geography with a concentration in remote sensing. While at the Academy, I studied geospatial science and experienced incredible research opportunities both here and at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. These experiences instilled in me a passion for geography and imagery which will follow me throughout my career. I am proud to be part of a legacy which rewards the performance of prior-enlisted cadets; investment in the development of the enlisted community will always pay dividends. After attending graduate school, I will enter the Space Operations career as a 13S officer where I will make daily use of my graduate degree. I am sure I will revisit the Academy at some point to give back to the institution that brought me to where I am today. Franklin C. Wolfe and the General Richard L. Lawson Scholarships Kip DiEugenio As the 2015 recipient of the Wolfe and Lawson scholarships, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to pursue an MA at King’s College London’s Department of War Studies. This one-year program blends international security studies with military history, two disciplines I am passionate about studying. I intend to focus my research on the application of airpower since the Second World War and its impact on US foreign relations. My undergraduate preparation as a military history major at USAFA and my time abroad at the French Air Force Academy have no doubt prepared me for all that lies ahead. Upon completing graduate school at King’s, I will report to San Angelo, Texas to begin training as an Intelligence Officer. I look forward to having the opportunity to apply the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and historical perspectives I will develop at King’s to the intelligence community in an effort to make a positive and lasting impact on the U.S. Air Force.
“The experiences I have had at the Air Force Academy are more than I ever could have imagined. The Academy has been everything I expected and then some – I was hoping for a challenge to prove myself and do something different, and I was definitely given that opportunity!” — C1C Jake Sortor Wing Commander
Gifts to the Air Force Academy Fund from graduates, parents, and friends play a major role in funding unique experiences, allowing the Academy to provide resources that go above and beyond what the government supplies for the cadets’ education. Charitable contributions from our donors create “margin of excellence” programs and services such as cadet clubs, academic competitions, athletic teams, and cadet activities. Show your support by giving today at giveafa.org
THE SABRE SOCIETY Recognizes donors who contribute $1,000 or more annually to the Air Force Academy Fund
www.giveafaf.org
HAPPENINGS JUNE
24 Appointee Bed & Breakfast Program 25 Class of 2019 Inprocessing JULY
USAFA MASTER CALENDAR The AOG has developed an Air Force Academy master calendar of events! Get up to speed on all the important AOG and Academy happenings with USAFA’s most comprehensive master schedule. The easy to navigate search feature allows you to search event listings by specific categories, including interests and geographic region—all with the click of a mouse. usafa.org/calendar
4 Independence Day 6-31“Find Joe Falcon” at shop.usafa.org 14 Prep School Bed and Breakfast AUGUST
27-28 Service Academy Career Conference,
Washington, D.C.
SEPTEMBER
2-7 Parents’ Weekend 3 WebGuy Social at Doolittle Hall 5 Air Force football vs. Morgan State 18 Polaris and Guidon Donor Event—Michigan
State, East Lansing, Michigan
AOG AFFINITY GROUP PROGRAM An AOG Affinity Group is formed when graduates create a nongeographically based group built on a common bond or shared interest. The group offers graduates the opportunity to stay connected to the Academy and connect with each other beyond the traditional regional structure of the AOG Chapter Program. Groups can be based on cadet experiences—for example, those alumni who were Wings of Blue, Honor Guard, or Drum and Bugle Corp—or based on shared interests/careers such as small business owners, engineers, pilots, or realtors. There are also identity-based groups such as the current Way of Life and Academy Women Affinity Groups. If you are interested in starting an Affinity Group, please email us at affinity.support@aogusafa.org usafa.org/Group/AffinityPrograms
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CADET LIFE
ENGINEERING AN AIR FORCE
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CADETS DESIGN PERSONAL COOLING SYSTEM FOR AIR FORCE RESEARCH LAB CHALLENGE.
A
rmed with funding from the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), a Mechanical Engineering Design capstone team of eight cadets recently designed a battlefield airman personal cooling system for the Air Force Research Laboratory Challenge. The challenge was to develop a system to safely, rapidly and effectively remove undesired heat away from an airman’s body during special operations in hot and humid environments. The unit had to be rapidly deployable, self-contained and portable for individual use and weigh under four pounds.
Written by David Bergeman
Such a system would prove useful for pararescue personnel, combat controllers, tactical air control party (TACP), special operations weather teams and special operations aviators.The team’s initial research included speaking with members of the TACP community who were stationed at Fort Carson. Their feedback led to a unique unit that consisted of two cooling subsystems: a helmet unit for evaporative cooling of the head and a plate carrier/Peltier pad unit for conductive cooling of the torso. w
Helmet Subsystem The helmet subsystem consists of a modular pack with an air pump that circulates air through desiccant canisters via a novel air-cooling box. The air moves through the tube behind the neck and into the helmet where holes in the tubing allow the chilled, dry air to cool the head.
Vest Subsystem The inside of a standard plate carrier vest is fitted with thermoelectric (Peltier) panels for conductive cooling. Fans move air through the vest around the Peltier panels for heat dissipation.
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CADET LIFE
The AFRL Challenge Engineering Design Capstone course team. From left: Team co-advisor Maj. Cory Cooper ’00, PhD, C1C Niles Lujan, C1C Zachariah Provchy, C1C Kenner Roberts, C1C Hannah Riddle, C1C Jordan Snyder, C1C Austin Sellers, C1C John Jackson and C1C Matthew Leslie. Not pictured is team co-advisor, Dr. Daniel Jensen. “They told us the helmet gets extremely hot,” explains team lead, C1C Matt Leslie. “The helmet is dark and absorbs heat. When it’s sitting on their heads there is no air circulation. You can’t put vents in a ballistic helmet. We were also told that when someone is suffering from a heat related illness the first thing that they do is treat the head and try to cool it down. Our system doesn’t affect the ballistic capabilities of the helmet and it moves cool, dry air around the head.” This April, the team traveled to Natick, Mass. for the AFRL Challenge to compete against rivals USMA and USNA. Air Force, who entered as the reigning three-time champions, ended up finishing second to the Black Knights. However, out of the 19 competitive designs entered, USAFA’s was one of only two concepts that were selected for AFRL “spiraling.” AFRL will take the team’s concept and invest in further research and development with the potential for optimizing the system so it can become a serviceable package for the warfighter. “The feedback from our test subject at the Challenge was great,” Leslie explains. “He told us that the regular helmet was very hot. When he tested our helmet system he said it was awesome and he was so glad to have our design over any of the others. It was cool [pun intended] to see that immediate appreciation for the work that we did.” No other team in competition even tested a cooling system with a helmet. Major Cory Cooper ’00, a team co-advisor and assistant professor of engineering at the Academy, says the cadets developed a first-class system that should make the institution proud. 84
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“In the end, it wasn’t a trophy,” Cooper says, “but what matters most is that the team showed a technology that can be taken forward. Other systems performed better in the Challenge’s testing, but were limited in their utility. We have a system that can be developed further for use in the field. The active duty judge from the battlefield airman community wanted our system, which I think speaks volumes. I’m really proud of what the team developed. They went through an innovative design process and they produced something that can help folks.” All eight of the cadets on the project will be moving on from the Academy as second lieutenants this spring, but they leave the capstone course with an enhanced appreciation for their USAFA education. “I learned a lot at the competition, not just about what the team can develop, but also about the great support that we receive at the Academy,” says C1C Jordan Snyder. “The teams from Army and Navy didn’t have the level of support that we do. They didn’t have the financial support system. For us, it was easy to order stuff and get it shipped within a few days. With Army and Navy they had trouble getting materials within four to five weeks. That speaks volumes about our mechanical engineering department.” Professor Dan Jensen, co-team advisor and capstone director for all engineering mechanics capstones, was also very proud of the team. “Overall, a project like this develops junior officers in a variety of ways,” Jensen explains. “It provides opportunities to be creative, chances to exercise their analytical skills, and they get to compete with our sister service academies in tough but rewarding challenges that have potential to impact the warfighter.”
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What’s your favorite place at the Academy? CadetQuestion “My favorite place on campus has to be the hockey rink. I go down there early in the morning to get a quick skate in, and it just helps me clear my mind for a day of school.”
C2C Matt Burzenski Squadron 12
“My favorite place to hang out is the rugby pitch. It’s where I meet my friends and work out during the day.” C2C Matt Fischer Squadron 12
“My favorite place on campus is the Terrazzo. I really enjoy seeing the heritage of the Academy and envisioning the legacy of the officers who walked before me throughout this campus.” C4C Alex Williams Squadron 23
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COL (RET.) JIM KNOWLTON USMA ’82 TAKES THE REIGNS AS THE 11TH AIR FORCE ACADEMY DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS.
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im Knowlton knows what it takes to compete at a service academy. Knowlton graduated from West Point in 1982 with a degree in engineering. He played center for the Black Knights hockey team and served as a captain for the squad. Knowlton has a master’s degree in civil engineering from Cornell University. The retired Army colonel spent four years (1999-2003) in Colorado Springs. He was initially stationed at Fort Carson before subsequently being assigned to Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base. Knowlton deployed to Iraq in the summer of 2003. His military awards and decorations include a Legion of Merit medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Assault and Senior Parachutist badges and a Ranger Tab. Knowlton returns to Colorado Springs after seven years as the athletic director at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, N.Y.) where he oversaw the Institute’s 12 men’s and 11 women’s NCAA intercollegiate teams (21 Division III, 2 Division I—men’s and women’s hockey), involving more than 550 student-athletes, as well as intramurals. He also served for three years as the chief of staff and deputy athletic director at West Point. 90
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Interview by David Bergeman Photos by WebGuy
While at RPI, Knowlton helped lead fundraising efforts that brought the campus a new football stadium and basketball/volleyball arena, along with a renovation of the Engineers’ hockey rink that included a $1 million scoreboard. Knowlton is a major figure in NCAA hockey circles. He is a former member of the board of directors of College Hockey Inc., a nonprofit organization that advocates for the sport and is supported by the NHL among others. In his personal life, Knowlton is the proud patriarch of a hockey family. He and his wife, Corey, have five sons. The oldest three, Jimmy (Colorado Boulder), Patrick (Sacred Heart), Christopher (Denver), have all played college hockey. Their second youngest, Mark, will play at Trinity College (Hartford, Conn.) in the fall, and Shawn will graduate from The Gunnery (Washington, Conn.) in the spring and hopes to play junior hockey. Knowlton began his tenure as the Academy’s 11th director of athletics on March 23rd, taking the reins from Dr. Hans Mueh ’66 who held the position for more than 10 years. Knowlton will be heading the Academy’s 27 NCAA programs (17 men’s and 10 women’s) along with boxing, cheerleading and robust co-ed intramural and physical education programs. He will be
responsible for USAFA’s $41.4 million athletics budget. Checkpoints sat down with Col. Knowlton one month into his tenure to discuss the current state of the department, his first major hire, and the “big business” of major college athletics. CP: Can you tell us a little bit about your upbringing and what lead you to attend West Point? JK: I was actually born at Fort Rucker, Alabama. My dad was a pilot. Early in my life we moved just outside of Boston to Burlington, Massachusetts. In that area hockey was big, so I started playing at a very young age. My dad built a rink in the backyard every year. I was playing my junior year of high school when Jack Riley, coach of Army and the 1960 U.S. Olympic team that won gold at Squaw Valley, saw me during one of my games. He reached out and we started talking. I made a visit to West Point and fell in love with the Academy and its mission. CP: How did the process of applying for the AD position at Air Force and being hired unfold? Were you immediately intrigued by the opening when it became available? JK: I was in a great position as the athletic director at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and we had really been working to transform the program. We had so much success and I assumed I would spend the rest of my career there. There were only a few places in the country that would have piqued my interest and one of them was the Air Force Academy. When the job came open and I started the process, I realized I had to answer 16 essay questions. I had to really think hard about how bad I want to participate in this search, obviously I filled them all out and my passion for the Academy grew and grew as I did more research about the institution and the athletic department. I became one of the 12 finalists and got to come out and see the facilities again and talk to people. Then I was one of the final four and the more I researched the more excited I became. When the Superintendent called me two days before Christmas and said, “You’re it.” I was absolutely ecstatic. CP: You were a student-athlete at Army playing center on the hockey team: How did that impact your experience as a cadet and how will that influence your choices as the USAFA AD to the benefit of current cadets and coaches? JK: I’m a firm believer that a lot of life lessons are learned through athletics. I feel like our intramurals and physical education classes, and our intercollegiate and club sports, are all critical parts of the Academy experience. I learned so many life lessons in locker rooms and on the ice; how to compete, playing hurt, learning how to compromise and get along with others. Sometimes you’re a leader on the team and other times you’re a member of squad on a team. All of those were incredibly valuable lessons that helped me be an officer in the military and helped me lead young men and women for 26 years. I think one of the most important things I do as an athletic director is hire incredible coaches and officers that are going to run our intramural and intercollegiate athletics and teach our PE classes because there is a lot of teaching that goes on outside
“As the new AD, when I learned
that my first hire would be women’s basketball coach, I was excited. Then I learned that our Superintendent is one of the greatest women’s basketball players in the history of our Academy and I realized that there may be a little bit more pressure on the AD to make a good hire!”
the classroom here at the Academy. I have to make sure those who are teaching our cadets are the best they can be and are giving them an educational opportunity to be leaders of character for the Air Force and nation. CP: Major college athletics are big business and being an AD is akin to being a CEO. You’ve worked in the “private sector” for several years now: What lessons learned from working in that environment can be exploited to the benefit of USAFA? JK: It is a business. A good athletic director has to be able to balance time with cadets, mentoring coaches, developing a cohesive team as an athletic department and also has to focus externally to make sure that we are valued member of the Colorado Springs community. From a revenue generation perspective, you have to reach out to our alums, reach out to our sponsors and let them know how important their support is. It helps us provide the margin of excellence opportunities for our cadets needs so they can have the most exceptional experience possible. I’ve learned how to be a good fundraiser. I’ve learned how to work really well with sponsors, examine all of the possible revenue generation opportunities and how you can take advantage of those as an athletic department. Again, you’re pouring that revenue back into the department to make it a better place for our cadets and the Academy. CP: What are the biggest challenges currently facing the athletic department? Have you identified a list of priorities as you begin your tenure? JK: My approach to start off was to look at people, platforms and resources. My first two months are focused on listening days. A month and a half before I got here I developed a skeleton for listening days, which is really a SWAT analysis, enhanced for athletics. Our coaches spent the better part of the Checkpoints
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last two months preparing their listening days and the quality of their feedback has been off the charts. I’m using those listening days to really find out where their challenges are, what our strengths are and where the opportunities are moving forward. In the course of that I’m learning about impediments to success. Those areas include revenue generation and resources. We went through sequestration and lost 30-plus people and it wasn’t because their mission went away. We need to find resources to provide those programs so they can be successful. We also need some renovations. We have world-class facilities in many areas and there are other areas that we need to address. Falcon Stadium—it’s a wonderful complex, but it’s getting old and when you don’t keep up with renovations in a timely manner you start having other issues—bathroom issues, aesthetic issues. We want every person that goes to a football game to have a great experience and come back. You have to take care of your facilities and platforms to do that. CP: Within your first month, you have made your first major hire as athletic director by bringing in a very accomplished coach in Chris Gobrecht to take over a women’s basketball program that has struggled since going D-1. How do you feel after making your first major decision as AD? JK: I couldn’t be happier. Chris is the perfect fit for our Academy. As the new AD, when I learned that my first hire would be women’s basketball coach, I was excited. Then I learned that our Superintendent is one of the greatest women’s basketball players in the history of our Academy and I realized that there may be a little bit more pressure on the AD to make a good hire! Our Superintendent was incredibly supportive. 92
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When I looked at Chris’ history and what she has done, I couldn’t be more thrilled. She’s the winningest coach at two institutions: Yale University and the University of Washington. She’s been in the ACC, the PAC 12 and the Ivy League. Her son went to the Academy and graduated in 2009. He’s a C-5 pilot. I believe she bled blue even before she was hired. We had over 100 applicants. She rose to the top almost immediately. Everyone she met, everyone I talked to, said she is worldclass in every way. What really sold me on her, was that every program that she has led, she ran them in a first class manner and developed leaders of character. She ran clean programs. I’m excited. I think after the press conference the people were all checking to see if they had any eligibility because they wanted to be on her team. I think even the Supt was checking to see if she had one more year left! Really a good hire and a great fit. CP: You led the charge on many fundraising initiatives for RPI athletics including facilities upgrades. How were you successful in these endeavors and why is it important to give back to Air Force athletics? JK: Let me start by saying the reception I have received from our Air Force Academy alumni has been incredible. I could not have received a warmer welcome as the new athletic director here. For that, I am thankful. I think success in fundraising at an academy is really about telling the story. It’s about talking to alums and supporters about our mission. What our goals are and what our vision is for the department and the Academy and then articulating what are those things that we need to continue to develop an exceptional experience for our cadets.
For our alums, it’s easy for them to understand our mission. Part of my challenge, and our Academy’s challenge, is to articulate that we are no longer fully funded to do what our nation has charged us to do. We have to find other ways to supplement so that we can be world class and our nation demands that we be world class. We need to have the platforms that allow us to do that. We need to have the ability to recruit the country’s best and brightest. Those responsibilities require outside funding. There was a day when we didn’t require outside funding, but we really do now. Every alum I’ve met understands that and has been supportive in saying, “How can I help?” That is critically important. CP: When Army comes to the Academy November 7 for the annual football game, what do you suspect your emotions will be? JK: Two words: Go Falcons! Certainly as the AD here, we want to win. I want to beat West Point as bad or worse than anyone else we play. I don’t think there’ll be any issues. I want our young men and women to be successful on the fields of friendly strife. That’s one of
the seminal games of the year, so I will certainly be rooting for our Falcons. CP: Do you have any other messages for our graduate community and supporters? JK: As an athletic director, and as an alum of an academy, I know how important the Association of Graduates is to really keeping our entire family connected—our supporters and our graduates. I’m really appreciative of what the AOG does because they provide a window to all of our alums so they can see what we are doing in the athletic department. My message to our alums is that the product that is graduating from this Academy is exceptional in every way. We want grads to stay connected, stay in touch, and reach out when they have an opportunity. We are always appreciative of what they do to support us. w
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I love to win. I love to win the right way, whether it’s my kids or my extended family of cadets.
CP: At what point in your life did you decide that you wanted to be an athletic director? JK: It was a culmination of many things. I was a student athlete and they kept me as a grad assistant coach at West Point after I graduated. Then I went back and taught civil engineering and at that time I was one of the officer representatives for one of the collegiate teams. Then in my last assignment I went to West Point and I was their chief of staff and deputy athletic director and I served as the interim athletic director. I quickly realized that all of the things we learn in the military about running an organization from a leadership perspective were the same things that athletic departments needed. We run million dollar businesses and it really became appealing to me that I could continue to develop young men and women in a different way if I couldn’t be in the Army my whole life. This is a great opportunity to continue to impact lives and develop our youth. CP: Did you spend any time at the Academy while you were stationed at Fort Carson and Peterson Air Force Base? JK: I have five boys who are all hockey players. Our hockey coach Frank Serratore ran camps in the summer and my kids all participated. We were up at the Academy quite a bit and some of my kids’ teams practiced at the Academy. I got to wander around the athletic facilities during those years and, again, I knew what their mission was so to have some exposure through my kids really planted a seed. CP: You served in the Army athletic department for three years in various capacities: What did you take away from that experience that will be beneficial for our institution as you begin your tenure? JK: The mission of all of our academies is to develop leaders of character. There are many similarities among the institutions. I think that at the Air Force Academy there are some unique aspects that I’m going to have to learn. It gives me a head start. If I want to be doing 100 mph at the end of it, I’m doing 25 mph right now. That experience really helps me because I understand what we are trying to do and how important athletics can be in the development of our cadets. CP: Have you had any conversations with Dr. Mueh? JK: I read in the paper when I was hired that Dr. Mueh had made a comment that I was the only candidate that had reached out to him. Dr. Mueh was fantastic. I spent up to an hour on the phone with him and he shared willingly. He is so proud of this institution and the athletic department. He was open. He talked about the challenges, about sequestration, the financial challenges. Many people don’t realize that we are running the PE classes and all of the testing. We have a human usafa.org
performance lab that we run. We run intramurals and we have 27 intercollegiate sports. It’s a huge organization with a varied mission. He said he was proud of what he had done and obviously he has done a lot of great work. I feel like so many pieces of our organization are in great shape. Hats off to him. CP: You have a major impact on the entire Cadet Wing through intramurals and the physical education program. Do you have any plans to review the way those programs are operated? What I’m really doing is talking to our folks about what makes sense. We know what our responsibility is—to develop leaders of character that are going to be able to serve in our Air Force. What are the things we need to do to make them relevant when they get to their first unit and beyond. We’ve adjusted intramurals in a way that allows our cadets to focus on it more and have a great experience, but we are always tweaking to make sure that what we do is nested into the mission of the Air Force Academy. CP: Athletic directors are notorious for being busy bodies— similar to our cadets and service members. What type of activities do you enjoy outside of work? JK: I usually play hockey once a week. That’s a good way for my head and my hands to continue to communicate. My kids tell me that I am not as fast as I once was—that’s probably an understatement. During the holidays the kids all come home and we all get out and play. A couple of them are pro hockey players now so the games are pretty intense. I’m not very good at it, but I like to get out and play golf. I try to stay busy and spend a lot of time with my kids and wife. As an AD you have to work hard to balance everything. I have a thousand kids who play intercollegiate sports and a thousand more in intramurals and in our physical education courses and I have to balance those with my five children. I’ve done the Manitou Incline a few times already. I consider that to be one of the best “gut checks” in the Colorado Springs area. The first time I did it I was a little slow, but I dropped five minutes the second time with my son breathing down my neck. I’m sure I’ll get better each time he takes me out and drags me up the hill. CP: What is more intense: watching your children compete or watching your athletic programs compete? JK: I think they are all intense. I’m pretty competitive. I love to win. I love to win the right way, whether it’s my kids or my extended family of cadets. I try to look at it from an AD’s perspective. I also look at all of our cadets from a parent’s perspective as well because I want all of their parents to know that we care about them as much as they care about them. I think being a parent has given me some keen insight into what our parents expect as far as an experience for their kids when they send them off.
james@blanchardfamilywines.com www.blanchardfamilywines.com
FEATURE
Greater Expectations By USAFA Commandant of Cadets, Brig. Gen. Stephen Williams ’89
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wenty-six years ago, being published in Checkpoints was a distant thought; now, I hope my words will resonate with all of those in the Long Blue Line. When I was asked what my dream brigadier general job would be, my answer was simple: I wanted to be the Commandant! No other job in the Air Force brings with it the same level of influence on the next generation of Air Force leaders; it’s like wing command, but with the personal interaction of squadron commanders! My announcement as the 27th Commandant of Cadets was surreal since I had only returned to our Academy a scant couple of times since May 31, 1989, but it has always held a special place in my heart. Now, finishing a year as Commandant, I’ve come to realize that while the essence of the Academy has remained constant, many aspects of our Academy are significantly better now than when I graduated. From a personal standpoint, the year since I assumed command on July 1, 2014 has been an incredible whirlwind for the Williams family. Friends and family gathered as I was promoted in a small private ceremony by my uncle (who had commissioned me as a Second Lieutenant 9,162 days prior), and then whisked outside to the Class Wall, where the Superintendent publicly entrusted the Cadet Wing to me. In the days since my graduation, I have tried hard to make the most from each opportunity the Air Force presented, including the best job in the military—command! I have led people and enjoyed the chance to refine and improve our tactics, both as a Weapons School graduate and later 96
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as an instructor. Commanding the 13th Fighter Squadron “Panthers” brought with it my first deep understanding of what leading people to succeed was all about. In 2007, I had the privilege and responsibility to take the Panthers into combat; they served honorably and are a sample of the great airmen we have serving in the Air Force. Serving as the Vice Wing Commander of the vaunted 8th Fighter Wing “Wolf Pack” reinvigorated my appreciation of the rich heritage and “family” that makes the Wolf Pack special, much like the AOG encapsulates for the Long Blue Line. Most recently, before coming back to USAFA, I had the honor of leading a key part of America’s rebalance in the Pacific as Misawa’s Wing Commander. I have cataloged some of my experiences, not because they’re mine, but because they are examples of what I hope we can all help our cadets understand before they leave as commissioned officers. High school kids come to USAFA for reasons too diverse and numerous to even count, but there should be one primary reason that they remain and push through to graduate: commissioning as an Air Force officer. Our graduates need to be ecstatic as they leave the Air Force Academy; not because they are leaving, but because they have completed an incredible prelude and earned their commission into the greatest air and space force the world has ever seen. Their future is in front of them and the privilege to uphold the reputation previous graduates have earned should drive the smile on their faces when the second lieutenant bars are pinned on. They are picking up the torch of the profession of arms as members of the Long Blue Line.
To enable our graduates to have the requisite vision and foresight, our permanent party officers, non-commissioned officers and civilians need the opportunity to learn and grow as well. We are working on a program to ensure our permanent party maintain an operational mindset and understand how to emphasize the vital connection to our Air Force’s mission. The Academy is tremendous at bringing in great airmen to lead and mentor cadets, but when they arrive, we have not done as well in systematically continuing their professional development. This is my challenge: I encourage everyone who has contact with cadets to look for opportunities to engage; we are always looking for leaders to work with and help develop the cadets; and we also are looking for ways that our permanent party will be able to grow and expand their development, both personally and professionally. It takes all of these things, and more, to keep our institution vibrant and relevant, producing the graduates the Air Force deserves. Where does all of this lead? At the height of our combat operations in two distinct wars, then-Air Force Chief of Staff, General T. Michael Mosley laid out the Airman’s Creed. When I first heard it as a squadron commander, it was very clear that it strips away all titles—“patch wearer,” “fighter pilot,” “ops,” “support”—and focuses everyone on the true core of who we are: AIRMEN. Once we understand we are airmen first, we break the code on having more purposeful associations into our tribes; I will always call myself a “Viper Driver,” but first and foremost I am an airman. I want to instill that same understanding in the cadets but, after airman, I want them to associate proudly with the title of “cadet” and with the heritage and teamwork of their squadron, before they further define themselves with terms like “Wings of Blue” or specific athletic teams.
The Air Force Core Values, like the Airman’s Creed, are a lifestyle. They are not simply words on a page or aluminum letters above the ramp. I expect our cadets and permanent party to live up to the Core Values every day. In discussions with the cadets, I distill my focus for the Cadet Wing into a couple of salient points: 1. Uphold standards and hold each other accountable. “Taking care of each other” doesn’t mean accepting poor choices/ behavior, but rather upholding a level of excellence and the standards required of those in the profession of arms. Loyalty isn’t to a single person, but to our unit, our Air force, and our Core Values. “Taking care of your airman” means demanding integrity and excellence while developing them so they can live our Core Values daily. 2. Cynicism is just an excuse for not trying your hardest and the root cause in accepting mediocrity. It’s easy to dismiss something without taking it seriously, but cynicism is nowhere along the journey to Excellence. 3. Approach every day with a “glass-half-full” attitude. American POWs proved what a positive mindset can overcome, under the most horrific circumstances, and for them we are thankful. Take advantage of the opportunities USAFA provides. Failing isn’t a tragedy, failing to try is. 4. This is the real Air Force. Each cadet is here to learn to lead. The daily schedule may be different, but this rehearsal is just as real, in many respects, as leadership beyond graduation. I am so proud of what our cadets have accomplished and how well the Class of 2015 has led the wing. I am impressed by the Class of 2015 in their leading of the Class of 2018; this graduation was a culmination of their success. The Class of 2019 has the opportunity to be the best yet; I am counting on the Class of 2016 to get them there and lead the Cadet Wing to even greater heights of excellence.
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BONUS CONTENT
A CADET AND A TOURIST
“Insights into various cultures”: 10 lessons learned from the 1964 Cadet Field Trip. Written by Gregg Swanson ’66
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he windscreen of the venerable C-124 Globemaster transport was not very big, and the propellers of “Old Shaky” had vibrated our Zoomie senses for long hours, but from the cockpit jump seat I had the best view of anyone in my cadet class at that moment: sunrise over Spain. It was my first look at a foreign country, and the Spanish base of Torrejón was the first stop. The lessons from the trip have traveled with me ever since. Fifty-one years ago, in June of 1964, the Class of 1966 received our reward for reaching the halfway point of our USAFA careers. Just as we were the last class to spend doolie Christmas at the Academy, we were to be the last class to undertake the “overseas field trip.” We made the most of it. As a high schooler, I devoured the USAFA catalog of 1961, and I still have it. In the chapter called “Airmanship Studies” was hidden a carrot which kept me motivated through the first two tedious years: Military Studies 310, Field Studies of Overseas Areas. The text read: “Four week field trip to pivotal areas in Europe, the Far East, or Latin America to observe global airpower and armed forces. An insight into the various cultures of allied nations is gained through the trip.” Fabuloso! Free travel, college credit, no tests! When in our third-class year we bid on the different trips, my choice was conditioned by many hours of daydreaming while marching across the Terrazzo, and in class. About six of us from Sixth Squadron (known in those primitive years as “Sexy Sixth”) opted for the
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trip that would introduce us to Spain, Italy, Germany and—the cherry on top—Paris. Without doubt, there were golden insights waiting to be harvested in Europe at the age of 20. My memories from 50 years ago are not exactly precise, and most classmates I have asked have admitted (off the record) that they don’t remember much from the trip. This is not surprising, since in Europe we discovered new adult beverages (a big improvement over 3.2% beer) and we usually functioned on very little sleep. An overseas trip was a big deal at the time. Very few of my cadet class had ever been outside the USA—except for some lucky Air Force brats—and Europe was for most Americans a pretty exotic place, like Nepal or Montenegro or Ethiopia are today. The “various cultures” were there to be observed, and they still are. Traveling overseas is indeed much more enlightening than reading history or watching movies. The trip set the course of my USAF and postUSAF life, with nearly half of my Air Force years overseas: two years in Southeast Asia, over four years in Germany (including 2 1/2 years with the German Luftwaffe as exchange officer), three years in Spain, and flying fighters pretty much all over Europe. But the most valuable “insights” were not apparent until years later. In truth, the primary lessons from summer 1964 related to life, especially Air Force life. And in retrospect, there were some that were in the “geopolitical” category. I will list here my Top Ten, in the order of the itinerary.
1. Get the best view possible. On the C-124, I simply asked the loadmaster if I could go up to the cockpit, which is why I was in the jump seat almost to landing. Lesson: you can’t make sound decisions unless you can see what is going on. The best commanders I worked for, and pilots I flew with, were constantly and intensely curious about what lay ahead.
2. Make sure everyone makes it back to the base. After an orientation at Torrejón (B-47s on alert) and a day of tours and a spectacular bullfight, we were given our first free day in a foreign city. A group of us roamed around Madrid and had an interesting but tame day. The challenge was to stick close to some responsible classmate—there were a couple—who could keep the slip of paper with the address of the 11 p.m. “last bus to base.” This sounds easy, but our assumptions – that the cab driver could read, and would actually take us to the right place – were tested. A few years later, as a new flight lead, I found that getting all your wingmen safely home is a huge responsibility. The teamwork we practiced at USAFA— and even while goofing off in Madrid—was golden.
Offloading bags from a C-124 Globemaster, “Old Shaky.” Too warm in front, too cold in back, and a race for a seat in the middle, but the humming engine vibrations were perfect for long naps on long flights. (Photo from Jim Simpson ’66)
3. Get to know the country you are in. This doesn’t necessarily mean learning the language, although a 300-word vocabulary of common and polite expressions (“nice to see you,” “please fill up the tank with regular”) is helpful. You make friends, and you will get tips on fun and interesting things to see and do. You can even get hooked on history, the arts, soccer, or haute cuisine. Of greater importance is the respect you are expressing to local folks, allied officers, NATO colleagues, officials, etc. for their country. As the State Department official in Madrid told us: “Every woebegone tourist who loses his passport is still an ambassador.”
4. Don’t count on getting to your destination. The next morning, our C-124 lumbered into the sky, eastward, while we scoured our standard box lunches (the fried chicken was popular) in an effort to shake off our tourist fog. On we flew to Aviano Air Base in Italy—but wait! We land, we emerge: the ops building sign says “Pisa Army Airfield”! A maintenance problem, our first air abort. No matter, cadets are always flexible, and overnighting on the floor of a U.S. Army gymnasium was no problem. Next day, off to see the Leaning Tower, and then to the beach in Army buses, while they worked on the airplane. (Note to current cadets: today, if your flight diverts, you probably won’t get to go to the beach, sorry.) Obvious lesson: be ready for the unexpected. This applies especially to all who travel by air. Take a toothbrush, a book, maybe a swimsuit, too.
5. Consider what the local folks have been through. There are few better places to learn about military history than in Italy, whether it is Roman or World War II history or the centuries in between. My clearest memory of the two days in Pisa came from a stroll outside the gate, where I saw my first bullet holes, a great many, on quite a few buildings, resulting from the Allied liberation of 1944, a full 20 years earlier. Slowly the realization sank in that most of the people who lived in Italy in 1964 had experienced war. Combat did not take place in controlled places, like the range in Jacks Valley, but in cities, towns, the countryside. In 1964, despite the tensions and dangers of the Cold War, there had been a tenuous peace in Europe and most of Asia since the conflict in Korea. Since 1964, it has been much different, as we know from today’s headlines.
6. When an opportunity appears, be ready to grab it quickly. On the first evening at Aviano, most of us gathered at the officers’ club, which was still a novel experience. I had just arrived when a captain came in and asked: “Anyone want to go into town?” Snap decision, forget the 25-cent beer: sure, I’ll go. And off we went in a jeep, three of us with an F-100 pilot, and soon we were camped on the piazza at an outdoor table. The Dolomite Alps loomed above the
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BONUS CONTENT
Jim Thames ’66 and Joe Jarvis ’66, at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin which, as part of the Berlin Wall, had been closed by the East German government in 1961. Cadets on the European field trip were given a tour of East Berlin, partly to exercise U.S. treaty rights under the four-power agreement. The gate reopened in 1989 after German reunification. (Photo from the 1965 Polaris)
The very same world-savvy captain told us that he had been mowing his lawn on a Sunday afternoon in South Carolina, when a phone call came. “They want you down at the squadron,” his wife said. “And it’s a drill, so bring your B-4 bag.” The next day, he was hanging on a tanker over the Atlantic on his way to Europe, for “a couple of weeks of TDY” (temporary duty). That was six months earlier, and he didn’t know when he’d be going back. It comes with the territory, as they say—and these surprise trips don’t always go to places where they serve pasta and grappa. But that’s what you do when you are a professional supporting a global mission.
8. Enemies can become allies.
town; young guys buzzed around recklessly on their Vespas; Italian girls strolled by; the captain was buying. Life was good. Here is my “European field trip 3 to 1 fast decision rule”: 75% of the time you say “yes” it works out great, 25% of the time not so well. The odds are in your favor. In this case, the good captain knew a lot about military history, and much more. “Did you know that Napoleon and his army marched through this square in 1797?” We did not know that. It was an unforgettable evening.
7. The Air Force is full of surprises. With the hindsight of 50 years, I think this is the best part of an Air Force career, and the worst part. Our lives had been scheduled and regimented to the maximum for two years, so we were not exactly living with uncertainty, except for grades and intramural results. But the USAF is very different. usafa.org
Next stop, Wiesbaden, Germany, at the time USAF’s European headquarters. We were in the country that some of our Academy officers and NCOs had fought to defeat. As we drifted down the Rhine on our “familiarization tour,” one had to marvel at the resurgence of the Bundesrepublik, riding the wave of the “Wirtschaftswunder,” the economic miracle. These few days in Germany gave us a much better appreciation of the intelligence and wisdom of allied wartime and postwar leaders: Eisenhower, Marshall, MacArthur, Bradley, and our Air Corps generals. It was vital to defeat the enemy, but the political and military leadership (including Roosevelt and Churchill) understood that the long term security of the United States depended upon alliances of free nations, including former enemies. A few years later, when I had the fortune to study as an Olmsted Scholar in Munich and then serve as an instructor pilot in a Luftwaffe fighter squadron, I learned first-hand how successful our alliance strategy had been, and how important the person-to-person dimension was within NATO.
9. Freedom isn’t free. We flew on to Berlin, to the same Tempelhof Airport where the 1948 Berlin Airlift had slammed the door on further Soviet encroachment. A two-hour bus tour of East Berlin gave us an unforgettable glimpse of the face of communism, as well as chilling views of bombed-out ruins from WWII. Despite the transparent attempts to add a Stalinist veneer to the sterile boulevards, every-
Pete Johnston overcomes the language barrier with a friendly gendarme in Paris. The Champs-Élysées in summer—it didn’t get any better than that. (Photo from Kenny Boone ’66)
thing we saw that afternoon verified that this was a regime that governed through fear. The brief tour gave our future studies and careers a sense of purpose and seriousness. It was also clear to us all that knowing the nature of the adversary is essential. Berlin awakened us to the tragedy of captive peoples in Europe and elsewhere.
10. It’s ok to be a tourist, but don’t forget the gifts. Paris was our last stop—perfect. A classmate badly wanted to find the bistro where the 1963 movie Irma la Douce (a great comedy with Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine) had been filmed. It was easy to find a young French guy to help—there were a lot of tourist bars in Pigalle, and he showed us one that didn’t look much like the one in the movie. (Hint: it was filmed on a Hollywood lot.) But we had a good time. The lesson here is to be adventurous in foreign lands, ask questions, meet the local folks, explore— but be selective on your tour guide. I did buy a bottle of champagne—first bottle of wine I’d ever purchased—and brought it home to my dad, an Army
veteran. He liked it a lot. And we still have the wonderful glass vase that I bought in Venice for my mom. Over the years, it was always fun to shop for family and friends in foreign stores and markets. That’s not much of an insight, but it’s easy to forget that the Air Force can take you to some spectacular places and reward one with special friends and memories. To the staff officer who designed Military Studies 310, all the USAFA officers who signed off on it, our trip commanders, and the C-124 crews—gracias, danke schön, grazie, merci! A toast to you all. It was an amazing summer. Most of us in ’66 served overseas at some time or another (mostly in Asia, as it turned out) and I’m sure the field trip prepared us well. We all still think global airpower is important—I hope the rest of our citizenry does as well—and many of us are still out there, Rick Steves guidebooks and backpacks and pills close at hand—gaining new “insights into the various cultures.” Salud!
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BONUS CONTENT
ADVICE AND MUSINGS FROM A MID-CAREER GRADUATE Written by Captain Carl Chen ’06
A
s many of us from the Class of 2006 approach our tenth year of commissioned service, it’s easy for us to start forgetting much of what used to cause us to say “I’m here to fly planes” during some of our more challenging times at the Academy. It’s also easy for us to sometimes forget that we are now living the lives we dreamed about as younger men and women, and we have the power to make a difference in the lives and futures of today’s cadets. I benefitted greatly from the advice and experiences of graduates from all eras and all walks of life when I was a cadet, and I feel it’s time for me to share a few axioms of my own with our soon-to-be lieutenants. Take it or leave it, here are ’06 musings of a mid-career graduate:
1. GRADUATES ARE PROUD OF YOU.
While living under the constant criticism the Academy endures, it’s easy to feel like you have a target on your back. We know that every time a “scandal” surfaces at the Academy, it’s usually just a few bad eggs. The majority of cadets are among the best and most motivated people out there, and many of you are just trying to survive one of the most demanding environments you’ll ever encounter. It’s all the more difficult when you don’t hear enough encouragement from the people who have been through the same things you’re going through now. We see academic averages, test scores, and indicators of merit rising for each new class, and it causes some of us to wonder if we would have even been
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accepted in today’s environment. You constantly impress us with your ability to rise above your challenges and to achieve the incredible things you do. All graduates—even the ones who have jobs involving giving you work or disciplining you—are proud of you.
2. CYNICISM IS HEALTHY, BUT DON’T LET IT CONSUME YOU.
I always laugh a little when someone says he or she wants to “eliminate cynicism” at the Academy. Cynicism is the natural outlet of the intellectually gifted in certain times of stress. You have to let off steam somehow, and complaining for sport is a way many smart cadets bond. Cynicism, like a good attitude, is also infectious. Learn when, where, and with whom to complain. When you are an officer; you will have superiors, peers, and subordinates looking to you to lead from your position. Your outward attitude will be the attitude of your organization. Learn how to gripe properly, but also learn how to keep your composure and your sense of humor through adversity.
3. NEVER STOP SUPPORTING YOUR CLASSMATES.
By the time you’re a firstie, you’ll have friends who will be closer to you than family. You will also have those whom you can’t wait to get away from when you put the Academy in your rear view mirror. Realize that you will change a lot in the next few years, and if you can change, so can your classmates. Don’t hold grudges and don’t burn bridges.
“DON’T HOLD GRUDGES AND DON’T BURN BRIDGES. REGARDLESS OF WHAT FRICTION YOU HAVE, YOU AND YOUR CLASSMATES HAVE GONE THROUGH THE LAST FOUR YEARS TOGETHER. NEVER FORGET THAT YOU’RE ON THE SAME TEAM.“
Regardless of what friction you have, you and your classmates have gone through the last four years together. Never forget that you’re on the same team. Also, make a concerted effort to keep in close contact with your best friends when they’re no longer just down the hallway. Few will know you better than the friends you’ve made here.
4. TRY HARDER.
When you’re in the thick of it, and certain obstacles seem insurmountable, you’ll sometimes just want to “min run” something difficult until the pain passes. Whether it’s a class, a PFT, or a room inspection; I challenge you to try harder. Academics, fitness, and living the military lifestyle might or might not come easily now, but habits you set early will be what you fall back on when you’re older. Whatever you feel like is getting you down that you can just “get by with a pass” on, push through your limitations. Whether you like it or not, your Air Force reputation starts the day you show up at BCT. The good news is that the Academy gives you the time and space to grow and to change for the better. Be the person you want to be—the person you came to the Academy to be—and never settle for mediocrity.
5. PICK A LIFESTYLE, NOT AN AIRFRAME/ CAREER FIELD.
This single piece of advice is the best I’ve ever received. There are plenty of sexy aircraft and jobs out there, but make sure you’re asking questions about lifestyles and not just capabilities when you talk to people who are doing what you want to do someday. Before you have other commitments like a family in your life, it’s easy to see yourself knocking out long and repeated deployments as you put your hard-earned skills to work. Life happens, though, and it’s impossible to divine who you will be in five, ten, or twenty years. Pick the lifestyle that is most compatible with your personality and who you want to be. All of us, even that future Chief of Staff among you, will hang up the uniform
someday. Do your best to make sure that the path you take makes you proud of and happy with your service to this great nation by the time you are ready to transition back to civilian life.
6. GRADUATING FROM THE ACADEMY ENTITLES YOU TO NOTHING.
You got here because you have the capacity and motivation to do incredible things. Graduating only gives you license to do more difficult and more exciting things as you become more qualified and gain experience. You have been afforded opportunities and you have gone through training that many of your counterparts can only dream of. This may engender a range of emotions among your peers, and you may be told that you have special preference in promotion, opportunities, etc. because you are an Academy graduate. THIS IS NOT TRUE. In fact, more will be expected of you and less lenience will be offered to you because of your alma mater. You will work your butt off in a highly competitive environment with equally or more talented officers than you for the entire time you wear the uniform. The Academy has simply equipped you with the ability to deal with your challenges by falling back on good habits developed at a young age (reference point 4), by relying on your built-in support network (reference point 3), and by keeping a good attitude and a sense of humor (reference point 2). Part of getting older for some of us is feeling like we should give out unsolicited advice. Whether you got something out of this or not, I hope you enjoy the adventures that await you in “the real Air Force.” Thank you for volunteering for this life and for continuing the legacy of our United States Air Force Academy. I’m proud of you. My friends and classmates are proud of you. We all have hope in you to be incredible stewards of this Air Force that we have shed blood, sweat, and tears for. We know you have the talent and drive to be better than we are. We, our families, and America are counting on you to be.
Captain Carl Chen is an EC-130H pilot stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. He lives in Tucson with his wife and two children. Checkpoints
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Gone But Not Forgotten John R. Goodley, ’61 John Robert Goodley was born in Evansville, Ind. on April 1, 1938. Son of Chester and Louise Sights Goodley, he graduated from Central High School in 1956 where he played basketball, baseball and football, earning many awards. As their star-quarterback, John led the CentralBears to a state championship during the 1955-56 season. One classmate shared that “John was known as a fantastic quarterback and that his passing was swift and very accurate”. He received the EvansvilleGreenriver Kiwanis Club Award, was selected twice for the “All-City Award” and also inducted into the Central High School “Hall of Fame.” John was also president of his graduating class. Following high school he attended Kiski Prep School in Saltsburg, Pa. prior to entering the Air Force Academy, Class of 1961. John played football at the Academy and in his sophomore year, 1958, the USAFA Falcons played the TCU Horned Frogs in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day in 1959. The Falcons and Horned Frogs played to a 0-0 tie and ended the season with a 9-0-2 record. That was the only Falcon footJohn Goodley ball team to ever go undefeated. While attending the Academy he met Elenora (Casey) Dugosh, the love of his life! John was flying back to Denver from Kansas City and Casey was the flight attendant on his flight. It was “love at first sight”. Casey is originally from Bandera, Texas, the “Cowboy Capital of the World”. They married on Graduation Day, June 7, 1961, in chapel number one at Lowry Air Force Base. That was the beginning of a marriage that lasted nearly 54 years, during which they had three beautiful girls, Lori, Joanie and Bonnie, and nine grandchildren! John and Casey had a full Air Force life, being stationed at Moody, Vance, NAS Pensacola, Maxwell, Wiesbaden and Ramstein in Germany, Bergstrom, Carlisle Barracks, Fairchild and Norton, which was their final assignment. John retired in 1991, after more than 30 years of outstanding and selfless service to this great nation, which included a combat tour in Vietnam flying the F-100, Super Sabre fighter. After retirement John and Casey moved to San Antonio, Texas where John got involved in substitute teaching in the local middle schools. His favorite hobbies were golf and watching old cowboy movies on TV. John once shared an experience he had when landing on an aircraft carrier. He said that the most terrified he had ever been was making a night, totally-blacked-out carrier landing. As John explained it, on his final approach he had to keep the carrier reference, known as the “meatball,” centered to be on course and on flight path. Suddenly his aircraft came to a complete stop without him knowing it... he had landed!... grateful and soaking wet! In January 2015 John became very ill with breathing and weakness
For more current information about graduate deaths, please visit the AOG web site. www.usafa.org. If you know of a graduate’s death, please notify the AOG as soon as possible. There have been cases in which the association was not informed in a timely manner. 100
problems. He was admitted into the intensive care unit at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. His cardiologist was called in and personally took care of John until the end. Although he seemed to be gradually improving, his condition worsened on Feb. 20, and John passed the following day, surrounded by Casey and his loving family. A memorial service was held at the Porter Loring Funeral Chapel in San Antonio and was attended by his family and many San Antonio friends, including Academy classmates residing in the area. On March 23, 2015 he was interned in the U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery with full military honors. May he forever rest in peace! (Air Force Col. [Ret] Ivan Molina, a dear friend and family confidant)
Carlton T. “Bud” West, ’63 Bud West came to the Academy from North Georgia, the town of Dahlonega. For two years prior to his AFA appointment, he attended North Georgia College, where he was a member of ROTC. Bud was always a stand-up guy – direct, straightforward, encouraging, never self-serving – a true friend to just about everyone. We never saw him “down”. He was Cadet Wing boxing champ for two years; had a classic, straight-up style and a tremendous jab with which he KO’d many opponents. He was equally tough in rugby, football, and other intramural sports. During graduation leave, Bud and 22nd squadron classmate Cal Nay hopped around the world on military space-A before reporting to pilot training. He was definitely not a timid, “wish I’d done that” kind of person. After pilot training at Craig AFB, he flew tankers at Walker and Plattsburgh “Bud” West AFB. While at Plattsburgh, he had a TDY tanker tour to Southeast Asia. In 1972, he paid additional Vietnam War dues with a PCS tour to Tan Son Nhut and Nakhon Phanom AB. Bud resigned his commission in 1977, completed a J.D. degree at University of Arkansas, and established the West & West law firm with his wife, Dana (who he had met when she attended Colorado College and he was an AFA cadet). He and Dana had two sons, Brian and Craig. After they retired from law practice in Arkansas, they moved to Panama City Beach, Fla. Dana died in 2010. In 2013, Bud married Sue Ridley, who he had dated in high school in the 1950s in Dahlonega. Curiously, he seemed to value recounting his and squadron mate Ike Payne’s curious and somewhat legendary 1961 Class III experience. Bud West died in Dahlonega Ga. on March 15, 2015. He was a true and honest friend. We miss him. (22nd squadron classmates)
Frederick H. Wagner, IV, ’64 Frederick Henry Wagner, IV passed away after a brief battle with leukemia on April 2, 2015. Fred was born Oct. 13, 1942 in Michigan to Fred and Maria Wagner. He and his first wife, Judy (divorced), had three daughters, Wendy, Sharon, and Karen. In late 1979, he met single airman Michelle Bayh who became his second wife on May 3, 1980. They had two sons, Robert (Air Force Veteran), and Nathan (active duty Navy). Fred attended Loyola High School, followed by a selection and attendance at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He was part of the modern pentathlon (fencing, swimming, pistol) as well as the theater group at the Academy. After graduation and attending pilot training, he went on to fly B-52s. His service included over 200 missions during the Vietnam War
and nuclear deterrence missions during the height of the Cold War. His active military service continued for 20 years and included Titan Silo Missile Commander in Arizona and Computer Systems Engineer at Strategic Air Command in Omaha, Neb. Fred retired at the rank of Captain. Upon checking his old flight records, Fred discovered the B-52 mounted at North Gate was one he flew. Fred also attended the University of Northern Colorado and received his Master of Science in Business Administration during his 20-year career. After the Air Force, he entered the civilian world working for the law firm Richards, Watson, and Gershon, and later the City of Long Beach, which he retired from in 2012. During his retirement, he continued playing music in addition to being an active ham radio operator. Fred greatly enjoyed music, and played the flute, baritone sax, and the clarinet in various bands over the years. He was involved with ham radio for over 60 years, in which he loved Fred Wagner communicating with people all over the world. An avid reader, he could always be found with a book in his hand when he was relaxing. Also, during his retirement, Fred became increasingly involved with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program, presented military awards, and was volunteering his expertise on computers to his family and friends. Fred also played music for the Church Ministry to the assisted-living homes. Fred was an avid swimmer, bike rider, and sailor in his spare time. Fred would attend the Renaissance Faire and Harry Potter weekends, often in costume. He even tried Irish Dancing and played the penny whistle and often helped behind the scenes for Irish feis. He is survived by his wife, Michelle, children Robert and Nathan, sibling Peter (Jerri), nephew Sam, niece Lily, and beloved pets Oreo and Raven. (Fred’s loving family)
Wendell Bruce Wood, ’65 Wendell Bruce Wood was born July 1, 1941 in Madill, Okla. to Wendell and Cordella May (Moon) Wood. Bruce was the oldest of five children. He lived in California briefly but returned to Oklahoma to live with his grandmother Cordella Stone. When Bruce was eight he moved to Oklahoma City to attend school. By the time Bruce entered Junior High School he discovered he had a talent for basketball. While playing at John Marshall High School under Coach Willie Edwards he became well known throughout Oklahoma as an ace smooth working pivot man. He was honored as an all-star basketball player both his junior and senior years of high school, frequently scoring 30-50 plus points a game (in the time-frame when the 3-point line did not exist). After graduating from John Marshall in 1959, Bruce attended Oklahoma City University and played basketball until joining the Air Force. During basic training Bruce discovered he understood and appreciated all the Air Force had to offer. He realized becoming an officer was a better career path. He then applied and was accepted to West Bruce Wood Point Preparatory School to brush up on math and science before attending the Air Force Academy in 1961. Following graduation from the Air Force Academy in 1965, Bruce married Carol Wilburn and immediately left to helicopter pilot training. His first duty assignment was in Bien Hoa, Vietnam as a Rescue Helicopter Pilot. During this tour of duty, Bruce was accredited with saving 48 flyers and bringing back the remains of many more. Bruce also served overseas duties in Italy, Korea and his last duty assignment aided in the liberation of Panama from the tyranny and injustice of Manuel Noriega. During active duty he flew rescue helicopters eight years and C-141 air transport planes for four years. However, his true passion was He-
licopter Rescue. During his time in the Air Force, Bruce completed an M.S. in logistics and a M.A. in counseling. The remainder of Bruce’s successful Air Force career was spent testing, managing and developing various military programs. Bruce retired from active duty in July of 1990. After retirement, Bruce’s second career was working as a defense contractor providing support services to the Air Force. Bruce met his current wife, Betty, in 1995, and they were married Feb. 15, 1997 in Destin Fla. After 41 years of service to his country, Bruce finally decided to retire in 2007. He and Betty moved to Nebraska in 2008 to be closer to family. During retirement Bruce enjoyed golf, travel, playing his guitar, making up songs, woodworking, and most of all spending time with friends and family. He very much enjoyed keeping up with 10 grandchildren by attending many sporting events, school activities, dance competitions, musicals, summer theater, speech contests and horse shows. Not an easy task as his grandchildren are scattered across the country. Bruce is survived by his wife, Betty; son James (wife, Nguyen) of Arizona and his children Isaac and Gabriel; daughter Jennifer Wood of Florida; Shelly (Madsen) Hawthorne of Nebraska and her children Ryan Hawthorne (wife, Sarah), and Zach Hawthorne; Norie (Madsen) Phelps, (husband, Doug) of Oregon and children Quinton, Kiel, Emilia and Caden; James Madsen, (wife, Jennifer) of Nebraska and children Josephine and Janessa; and by his siblings: sisters Donna (Butler) Mathews, (husband Nic), of Oklahoma; Silvia Butler of Florida; and brother Tommy Wood of Oklahoma; and many nieces and nephews. Bruce is preceded in death by his grandmother, mother, father, brother Tim Butler and son-in-law Russ Hawthorne. (Bruce’s wife and best friend, Betty)
Gary C. Potter, ’66 Gary Cleveland Potter, 71, of Saco, Maine, passed away on Jan. 14, 2015 due to complications from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery in the summer of 2015. Gary was born on Nov 19, 1943. A 1966 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Gary served 20 years in the U. S. Air Force as an intelligence officer, retiring in 1986. During his early military career, Gary was stationed in Darmstadt, Germany (1967-69) as a Wing Flight Commander with the 6910th Security Wing. He served in Vietnam 1969-70 at DaNang Air Base with the 6924th Security Squadron, heading a 15-man operations branch providing operational advice and liaison to the 7th Air Force Tactical Air Control Center. In 1970, Potter was responsible for overall supervision and management of the Mission Management section of the 6990 Security Squadron at Kadena AB in Okinawa, and in 1971 he rose to Chief of Airborne Operations, supervising 10 officers and more than 400 airmen in the conduct of USAFSS airborne operations and missions in Southeast Asia. From 1972-74 he attended and received his Master’s Degree in interGary Potter national relations from Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla. With degree in hand, Potter next landed at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. as MAJCOM Soviet Military Political Affairs Officer. In 1976, Potter was selected as one of 10 officers to produce the USAF Soviet Awareness Program, and was deployed 102 days to 33 Air Force bases to conduct Soviet Awareness presentations. Credited as a “major reason for the success” of this initiative, in 1978 Potter was selected for a highly competitive doctorate program at George Washington University in international relations specializing in Soviet s tudies. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1983, and his military career continued at Bolling AFB. Considered the top staff expert in weapons systems threat validation acquisition, Potter was hand-picked as the first Deputy Chief, General Threat Division in 1984. Following his military career, he worked for a federal defense contractor in Washington D.C., taught photography at the Washington School of Photography and sold photography through Gallery West in Alexandria, Va. In 1994, he and wife, Judy, moved to Maine, where Gary taught math and science in high school, adult education, workforce development and at the college level. As a friend and classmate Walter Schrecker wrote, upon hearing of 101
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN Gary’s passing: “‘Potts,’ as he will always be to me and his brothers from CS-24 gave his classmates and this world a great example of integrity and perseverance. He was our friend who we all counted on with his dry wit, solid intellect, gracious assists when in need, and selfless service to his country and us all. “‘Potts’ will forever remain in our mind’s eye as the 20-something, young man ready to conquer the world with a light heart and USAFAinstilled confidence. We’ll remember him over a few beers or glasses of ‘loud mouth’ as the impetuous, gutsy cadet who set high standards with the Dean and helped us get through… or for racing up the Terrazzo to the observation wall at a noon meal formation to meet a beautiful young girl visiting the Academy who he had spied from his dorm room.” Gary was a loving husband and father, who is survived by his wife, Judy Katzel, and three adult children, Steven Potter (Carolina Velis) of Portland, Ore.; Greyson Potter of Saco; and Sarah Potter; and two gorgeous grand-daughters, Maryjane Harman, Anabelle Harman of Shady Side, Md. He is also survived by his three siblings: Sandy Potter Palmer of East Greenbush, N.Y., Janice Potter Urbanowicz (Peter) of Cohoes, N.Y., and Kenny Potter (Nita) of Concord, Vt., along with many nieces and nephews. (Judy Katzel, Gary’s wife)
Ralph B. Femrite, ’67 Colonel Ralph Femrite taught those around him how to live a full an honorable life. Born in Glenwood, Minn. on Sept. 4, 1945, Ralph was the only boy of six children. An outstanding student and athlete in high school where he lettered in three sports, he was a natural for the Air Force Academy. He excelled in all aspects of the Academy program and graduated in the top of his class. In addition, he was a stalwart defender on the varsity soccer team. Upon graduation he was selected to attend Purdue University where he earned a M.S. in astronautical engineering, before he went to Reese for Undergraduate Pilot Training. There he graduated second in his class and married the love of his life, Tommi. Ralph began his REAL Air Force career as a single-seat fighter pilot where he gained combat experience in the F-105 Thunderchief. Returning from Thailand, he reported to McConnell where he instructed others in the ways of the F-105. Then on to Luke to fly the rocket -- the F-104 Starfighter with Ralph Femrite some rising stars from the Luftwaffe. He was the youngest Fighter Weapons School Instructor Pilot in that aircraft. Picked three years below the zone to major, his career-broadening non-rated assignment was working in the Colonel’s Group at Randolph. From there he was chosen to stand up a brand new Aggressor Squadron at Clark Air Force Base. He was the youngest flying squadron commander the Pacific Region. Later he was introduced to the F-16 in Misawa where he was the Operations Group Commander. Following that assignment, he found himself back at Randolph developing a new Airmen Promotion Report. Along the way he attended the ACSC and the National War College. His final assignment was back at his beloved Academy where he was the Director of Personnel for the Superintendent. There was a parallel career that Ralph and Tommi pursued along the way over their 47 years together. She converted to Christ and began teaching people how to pray from all over the globe in some of the most challenging places on Earth like Mongolia, Uganda, Bosnia, and other such Edens. Whenever he could, Ralph was by her side evangelizing others to the Word of the Lord. Upon retirement from the Air Force, Ralph began a second flying career with FEDEX. With age, all good things come to an end, and he re-
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tired to work full time with Tommi in her ministry, Gatekeepers International. Together, they traveled the world, speaking to and teaching those in leadership positions on the power of prayer and intercession. An excellent golfer, Ralph also accomplished something very few have done; that is, shoot his age on the Eisenhower Golf Course -- a 67! Ralph lived a full and honorable life, and lost his valiant battle against cancer on Feb. 27, 2015. He was a loyal husband, father, brother, Papa to his grandkids and great-grand kids. He was a Man of God, who was kind, friendly, and thoughtful to all. He always made time for his friends, classmates, and those who needed the Lord’s inspiration. It can truly be said that Ralph Femrite left this world a better place than he found it. He leaves us with wonderful memories of the life he lived and the example he gave us. He is now in a better place in the arms of our Lord. He is survived by his bride, Tommi (Barbara Stone) Femrite, daughter Carri Bell, son Eric Femrite (Jaclyn), grandchildren Ashley Harris (David), Andrew Gibbs, Alexia Bell, Zachary Bell, Emerson Femrite, and his great-grandchildren Ariadne and Charisma Harris, along with his five sisters and their families. (Ralph’s loving family)
Bernard L. Hahn, ’67 Bernard Lee Hahn, “Bernie” passed away unexpectedly Dec. 12, 2014 in Tucson, Ariz. He was born June 12, 1945 in Bethlehem, Pa. and grew up in the small town of Nazareth, Pa. where he graduated from high school lettering in basketball, tennis, and winning the math award at graduation. From the age of four Bernie wanted to fly and began college with that goal in mind by becoming a member of the Air Force Academy Class of ’67. While at the Academy he played on the tennis team and was the cadet squash champion for four years. He graduated, married his wife, Nancy, and headed for pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz. After flight school he flew C-133s out of Travis AFB, Calif. where his son, Mark, was born, then trained in C-130s. Based at CCK, Taiwan, his missions were flying in Vietnam where among other medals he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal Bernie Hahn with three oak leaf clusters. He completed his career in the Air Force flying C-130s at Topeka AFB. Bernie continued his career in aviation flying for Eastern and United Airlines retiring as a captain in 2005. During a furlough from Eastern he received his master’s degree from Lehigh University and taught physics and coached the tennis team at his hometown high school. Retirement brought new adventures… living and skiing in Grand Lake, Colo. and for the last five years winters in Tucson, Ariz., riding his bike, traveling and visiting many National Parks in his RV and played golf… lots of golf. The most important people in Bernie’s life were his family, especially his grandchildren Kyra and Colin, and his friends. The best flying he ever had was in the Air Force. He is laid to rest at USAFA near the mountains and blue sky that he loved. (Nancy K. Hahn, Bernie’s wife)
Jesse H. Kent, ’67 Jesse Herschel Kent passed away on Jan. 10, 2015, at the age of 71. He spent his final days in his home, surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was the cherished husband of 44 years of Julie Mayer Kent. He was the wonderful father of Brandy Kent Stallo (Shawn), Jeremy Foy Kent (Michelle) and Lauren Kent Rivera (Michael). He is also survived by six grandchildren, Jesse Michael Stallo, Jacqueline Claire Stallo, Gloria “Annie” Rivera, Luke Jackson Kent, Oliver Kent Rivera and Frederic Herschel Kent. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Foy Ernest Kent; by his mother, Helen Underwood Kent; and by his brothers Foy Ernest Kent, Jr. and Roderick Dell Kent. Jesse was born in Glenwood, Ga. on Aug. 7, 1943, and raised there until moving to Miami, Fla. He graduated from Miami Jackson High School
in the Class of 1961. He attended the University of Florida in Gainesville for two years, and was then accepted to the U. S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., graduating in the Class of 1967. Jesse went through pilot training at Craig Air Force Base, Selma, Ala. His assignment out of pilot training was flying the T-38 at Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio, Texas. Jesse was selected to fly the F-5 for an international assignment. Jesse loved flying the F-104 Starfighter with the Puerto Rican National Guard and considered it the highlight of his aviation career. He was a commercial airline pilot for Eastern Airlines, ValuJet and AirTran. He retired in 2003. Julie and Jesse met on a blind date on June 10, 1965, at Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans, and were married on Sept. 27th, 1969, in New Orleans. Jesse loved reading, snow skiing, writing poetry, flying his V-tail Bonanza, taking Grover RV trips with Julie, playing the piano, honking the horn at moo cows, being with his family… and he could fix anything. He was quietly generous, had a wonderfully silly sense of humor and a great laugh. Jesse was Jesse Kent greatly loved by his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his family and his friends. A few days before Jess passed away, friends from the 11th Squadron came to see him: Barry LaForgia (San Diego, Calif.), John Harkey (Nashville, Tennessee), Curt Laetz (Wisconsin), and Bill Straw (Florida). The visit was wonderful beyond words. The men laughed and reminisced about their years together at the Academy. Barry had all kinds of stories about the four years he and Jess were in a band together. The following day, Jess received the Academy sabre from Barry, John, Curt, Bill and Jim East (Virginia). Receiving that sabre from his friends meant the world to Jess. (Julie Mayer Kent, wife of Jess)
James H. Hix, Jr., ’68 James “Jim” Henry Hix, Jr., 69, of Pensacola, Fla., passed away Nov. 4, 2014, alone at home after a heart attack and fall down his stairway. He was born Dec. 16, 1944 in Ocilla, Ga. to parents James Sr. and A. Sue Satterfield Hix. He graduated from Escambia High School, Pensacola, in 1963 and the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1968. During high school, Jim and his brother kept the family supplied with fish as scuba divers in Pensacola Bay. As an adult he enjoyed gardening, motor boating, and water skiing with his family in St. Andrews Bay, Panama City, Fla. He would brag that he had enough Jimmy Buffet music to get him and his ski boat from his home in Atlanta all the way to Panama City. Whether in his ski boat or on his Hatteras “Nevermore,” one could count on his sighing and saying, “I wonder what the peasants are doing today.” Jim served in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force for two tours as a Forward Air Control 0-1 Bird Dog pilot over Laos, first with the Red Markers and then with the Ravens group. He was shot Jim Hix down and injured behind enemy lines twice. Air America pilots rescued him each time. His experiences have been included in such books as The Ravens by Christopher Robbins, Cash on Delivery by Thomas Leo Briggs, and Quoth the Raven by Jim Roper. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak clusters. Next he became a flight instructor at Craig AFB. Afterward he briefly trained as a U-2 pilot. When he left the Air Force he flew for Saudia Airlines, then Evergreen Air Freight, and finally retired from United Airlines after 18 years, flying 757-767 jets. He served as captain for each airline. Upon retirement he returned to Pensacola to live on the Perdido River. As a veteran and as a retiree, he was haunted by PTSD, depression, and health problems from his war injuries and experiences.
Jim is survived by his older sister, Joyce Hix (Max) Dannecker of Panama City, and younger brother Chester David (Jane) Hix of Montgomery, Ala.; nieces Carolyn Hix Shelton, Christina Hix Wills, Kathy Dannecker Harris, Erin Dannecker; nephew Todd Waite; and their children; aunts Madge Brady Hix, Mattie Hix Saylors, Ruth Hix Rice, Verleen Hix Alexander, Vergie Hix Westbrook, and Joyce Satterfield Mulkey; as well as numerous cousins; and a former wife, Haven Knowles Hix. Jim’s ashes are interred at Barrancas National Cemetery on NAS Pensacola. His family and friends, his former wife, his boyhood friends, and his well-regarded Ravens attended his funeral. (Joyce Hix Dannecker, Jim’s sister)
J. Forman Sabine Meachem, ’73 Joseph Forman Sabine Meachem, known by his USAFA friends as “Meach”, was born on Aug. 20, 1951 in Binghamton, N.Y., the second of four siblings (an older sister, Donna, and two younger brothers, James and Collin). Meach spent his formative years in Bainbridge, N.Y. The Meachem family moved to St. Petersburg, Fla. in the mid Sixties. Meach graduated from Saint Petersburg Senior High School in 1969, where he was an accomplished wrestler. His brother James likes to tell the story about when he realized he was taller than Meach, James teased him about being able to look down at him; Meach promptly threw him down on the ground and said “Just remember I can make you look up at me anytime I want.” Sabine majored in geography at the Academy; graduating in June of 1973. During his freshman year he wrestled on the intercollegiate team. He attended pilot training at Columbus AFB, Miss., graduating in the fall of 1974. Assigned to C-141s, after initial training at Altus AFB Okla., he was stationed at McGuire AFB, N.J. in the 30th MAS. Sabine was upgraded to instructor before being separated from active duty in the fall of 1979. He was hired by American Airlines the next year. Furloughed a year later, he was then hired by Eastern Airlines, flying the Boeing 727 out of Miami until American offered to re-hire him. He declined, staySabine Meachem ing with Eastern Airlines. When Eastern went out of business, he was then hired by United and was domiciled in Chicago, flying DC-8s. During his stint with the airlines, he was also in the AF Reserves flying the C-141 out of McGuire with the 335th MAS during the first Gulf War, and retired from the Reserves as a lieutenant colonel in 1994. He was medically retired from United, also in 1994. He then moved to St. Petersburg, FL, where his mother still lived. Sabine’s love of all things space-related kept him interested in the U.S. space program and all the related activity at Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. After looking for more than five years, he bought a second home in the area of the Cape in 2014. He fell ill at his second home in Viera, Fla. in December 2014, losing feeling in his legs. Tests showed he had a large glioblastoma (aggressive brain tumor), and after undergoing surgery, died March 11, 2015 at a hospice in Winter Park, Fla. Meach was an excellent pilot and his exploits included successfully landing the C-141 with only one main gear extended. He was awarded an Air Medal for his handling of the incident. Meach got his talent for flying from his father who was an Eighth Army Air Force B-17 pilot during WWII. He also had an aunt, Tex Brown Meachem, who was a WASP. Meach will be buried at the USAFA Cemetery later this year. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the USAFA National Leadership Conference. The Meachem and O’Neil family would like to thank Meach’s USAFA and other military friends for their support during this time. Our brother was truly blessed to have such good friends. (James Meachem, brother, with the help from classmates Boyd Lease, John Rosser, Bob Eames and Paul Manley)
Robert W. Bush, ’76 Bob passed away from complications during surgery in Boston on Dec. 11, 2014. It was much too soon; he had much living yet to do. Bob was born on March 20, 1954. 103
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN He began his career at the Air Force Academy in the 22nd Squadron in 1972, then the 4th squadron for the remainder of his time there. He was on the water polo and swim teams during this time. Bob grew up and attended school in Long Beach, Calif. graduating from Lakewood High School in 1972. While there, he excelled in swimming and water polo, student government and academics. Long Beach was also where he developed a lifelong love of sailing that continued throughout is military career. Upon graduation in 1976, Bob decided he was more suited toward Naval Aviation; he was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy and headed to flight training in Pensacola, Florida. This was the beginning of an amazing and successful career in aviation, following in the footsteps of his father and uncle. His initial posting was NAS Sigonella, Sicily. There he flew Sabreliners, ferrying military and government dignitaries throughout Europe and the Middle East. One of his most memorable adventures was flying Lord Mountbatten of the United Kingdom on many of his flights in and out of London. As a fellow naval officer, they formed a friendship. Bob Bush His naval career continued through Virginia Beach, Norfolk and finally to Alameda Naval Air Station. He retired from the Naval Reserves in 1986. Bob joined American Airlines in 1985 and began an amazing 30-year career. He flew most everything including B-727, DC-10, MD-11, B-767 and for the last 10 years of his career was Captain of the B-777. He was promoted to Chief Pilot in Miami, San Jose and Los Angeles. It was as Director of Flight in Los Angeles that he found the most job satisfaction. He was in a position to help pilots with their schedules, personal lives and various transitions. His easy going personality was an attribute that created so much success in this job. He also became an instructor in the American Airlines Flight Training Academy in Dallas. Throughout his aviation career, he was always so proud to have been a graduate of the Air Force Academy and loved the camaraderie that entailed. Without fail, he was always on the Air Force side during the Air Force-Navy game. He is survived by and will be incredibly missed by his mother, Jeanne Bush; his sister Lesle Bush Thomas and her family, as well as Lyn Blackmon, Baron Windham, Sue Bush and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He is predeceased by his father Colonel (ret) Robert R. Bush. Services were held in Hartsville, S.C. and Sonoma, Calif. Gifts may be made to the Chordoma Foundation or the charity of your choice. (Lesle Bush Thomas, sister of Bob Bush)
Paul A. Dettmer, ’77 Major General Paul Allen Dettmer, United States Air Force, Retired, age 59, died peacefully at home with his family in Centreville, Va. on Dec. 29th, 2014, after a courageous battle with cancer. General Dettmer was born on Oct. 6th, 1955 in Bakersfield, Calif. to Paul and Barbara Dettmer. He was a 1977 graduate with honors of the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. where he earned a degree in Biological Sciences and was commissioned upon graduation. He served 33 years in the Air Force, retiring as a Major General. He married the former Catherine Marie Brucia in 1992 and served in critical leadership positions in Korea, Germany, Panama, and many other locations over his distinguished career. General Dettmer retired in 2010 during his final military assignment as the Paul Dettmer Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Headquarters U.S. Air Force, The Pentagon. In that capacity, he was responsible to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force for policy formulation, planning, evaluation, oversight, and leadership of Air Force intelligence, surveil104
lance and reconnaissance capabilities. During this tour, he played a key leadership role in the development and fielding of the MC-12W Project Liberty program, a unique non-traditional ISR reconnaissance asset needed for protection of U.S. and allied forces engaged in the global war on terrorism. He was also responsible for the overall strategy and implementation of ISR personnel and assets supporting deployed U.S. and Allied forces in Iraq and Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. While Director of Intelligence at Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe immediately following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, he spearheaded the development and fielding of critical intelligence systems supporting U.S. military operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. His efforts resulted in the successful prosecution of key targets, the protection of critical assets and the saving of American and Allied lives. General Dettmer achieved recognition as a leader in all areas of military intelligence, particularly in airborne ISR operations. He held a variety of other key leadership positions, including Intelligence Assessments Division Chief in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Director of the Tactical Signals Intelligence Program Office for the National Security Agency; and the Vice Director of Intelligence, Joint Chiefs of Staff, where he was responsible for the daily intelligence briefing to the Secretary of Defense and key Pentagon staff. General Dettmer also commanded the 27th Air Intelligence Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, V.; the 607th Air Intelligence Group at Osan Air Base, South Korea; and the Air Force Technical Applications Center at Patrick AFB, Fla. He was a highly respected Commander of forces who always put the welfare of his people first. General Dettmer is the recipient of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legions of Merit, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, seven Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Medals, and numerous other significant awards and decorations. General Dettmer was one of the most distinguished Air Force military intelligence officers of his time. He answered the clarion’s call to duty with distinction. After his retirement from military service, he was recognized in September 2013 as an inductee to the Air Force ISR Agency’s Freedom through Vigilance Hall of Honor. Survivors include his loving wife, Cathy, and two children, Ali and Andrew. He is also survived by two brothers, Tom and Bob, and a sister, Susan. He was preceded in death by his parents. (John Nichols, friend)
G. Douglas Evans, ’77 Doug Evans may have died on March 6th at his home in Batesville, Ind., but his spirit and memory still lives on. Simply said, he was an awesome friend, a terrific husband to his wonderful wife of 36 years, Gayle, and proud father of three great kids, Bryan, Leslie, and Neal. Son of Bud and Nancy Evans, he left the windy shores of Chicago for the promise of earning his wings (and a degree in Aeronautical Engineering along the way). From Demons, to Playboy 19, to Grim Reaper 31, Doug kept on smiling, while he was “just passin’ thru.” With an ever eye on the prize, UPT at Vance, and Randolph, Columbus, Little Rock, Dyess followed in quick succession. When Delta finally came calling, being based and moving back to sweet home Chicago was only natural. Doug’s Doug Evans easygoing personality and gift for flying soon found favor as his career eventually progressed to FAA Check Airman on the B-767er.
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Multi-talented with a fascination for restoring old train engines, model railroading, sports cars, pickups, riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, and designing/building custom high-end amps and speakers, our friend had more fun and adventures than the law legally allows. Many an epic trip was taken cross country upon his beloved HD’s, enjoying that high lonesome sound of some lost highway.... So, with a mountain of memories, let’s lift a toast to a heart-o-gold best friend and classmate that any guy could be lucky enough to ask for. Cheers! (John Katona, Jr., classmate and friend)
Robert L. Dimmick, ’78 Lt. Col. Robert L. “Bob” Dimmick, USAF (Ret), devoted father and husband “Flew West” on Jan. 20, 2015. Bob is best described as brilliant, honest, and calm, and he applied these talents with boundless energy to his family, military service, and love of flying. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Bob was born on Oct. 31, 1956 to Paul and Dorothy Dimmick. He completed high school at Lakewood and graduated from the Academy in 1978 with a B.S. Degree in aeronautical engineering. A year after graduation he married Maggie and began their 36 year journey together. During the first 10 years after graduation, Bob earned his Navigator rating, a master’s degree from Air Force Institute of Technology, and completed the USAF Test Pilot School course for Flight Test Navigators. During his USAF career he flew as a master Navigator both operationally and in experimental flight test. Bob and Maggie served their country in New York, Ohio, California, and Florida before retiring in 1998. Bob loved to fly and everything aeronautical. He helped develop and test the AC-130U gunship (Spooky II) and Joint Surveillance Target and Attack Radar System (JSTARS). Both aircraft combine a variety of sensors and communications equipment into an airborne surveillance and tracking system without equal. Spooky II included 25 mm GAU-12 Gatling gun, 40 mm L60 Bofors cannon, and 105 mm Bob Dimmick M-102 Howitzer cannon to provide amazing fire support for ground troops. Bob was a key member of the development and test team for both aircraft making sure they were capable and ready. In the many combat activities since 1990, these systems provided astonishing and stunning air support to protect ground troops, their supply lines, and more recently, non-military targets from enemy attack. Bob and Maggie moved their family to Florida in early 1995 from California, where he worked on the JSTARS both before and after retirement from the military. During the last 17 years he worked for Northrop Grumman as the Manager of Flight Test and a Flight Test Engineer and worked on the development and flight test of several aeronautical systems. Bob was a member of Faith Fellowship Church, and was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved spending time with his family, flying, running and soccer. Recently, he spent many weekends visiting with his grandchildren, carefully planning each visit to make sure he and Maggie would share great memories with them. Bob traveled extensively with Maggie, often joined by other members of their family. Their trips frequently included scuba and snorkeling, especially in the Turks and Caicos Islands. He refereed youth soccer for 15 years and was highly respected among the referees, coaches, and players. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Margaret Dimmick, of Melbourne, Fla.; mother, Dorothy Dimmick of Cleveland, Ohio; two sons, Scott (wife, Maria) Dimmick of Jacksonville, Fla. and Todd (wife, Abigail) Dimmick of Satellite Beach, Fla.; sister Diana (husband, Rick) Galaris of Wilmington, Del.; and five grandchildren: Taylor, Julian, Madison, Kendall, and Cameron. Bob’s funeral was Jan. 24, 2015 in Melbourne Fla. and he was laid to rest privately at Florida Memorial Gardens, Rockledge, Fla. Donations can be made to Faith Fellowship Church, Melbourne, Florida. Online condolences may be made at www.legacy.com. (Bob Hood ‘74, friend)
Joseph C. Dortch, ’81 Lt. Col. (Ret) Joseph Claude Dortch (Moosie) died Oct. 24, 2014 in Arlington, Va. Joe was the fourth-oldest of 12 children born to Mrs. Catherine Dortch of Crestview and the late Rev. Claude Von Dortch. He was the first African-American born in Valparaiso, Fla. on Jan. 13, 1958. His father; grandmother Rose Bud Hunter-Grimes; and aunt Elizabeth McCurdy, preceded him in death. Joe attended Okaloosa County public schools and graduated among Crestview High School’s top 10 students in 1976. He graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1981 and received his master’s degree from the University of Dayton in 1988 while on a tour at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Joe had quite a few firsts in his life. He was Crestview’s Most Valuable Player on Okaloosa County’s first undefeated basketball team. He was Crestview High School’s first recipient of the Most Outstanding Student-Athlete Award. Finally, in 1976, he was the first Crestview High School student to attend a military service academy. Joe, very dedicated to his country, was very accomplished and distinguished during his military career. AfJoe Dortch ter graduating from the Air Force Academy, Joe was sent home to Eglin Air Force Base for his first tour of duty. He was the F-15 AMRAAM flight test manager until 1985, when he was assigned as the chief of the Quality Assurance Division, Aircraft Modification, 4950th Test Wing at Wright-Patterson. His outfit was responsible for inspecting and accepting all Class II modifications to the wing’s 443 aircraft and providing flight release of aircraft back to the Wing Commander after modification approval. Joe next served as a B-1B Program Office manufacturing engineer and was there for all 100 B-1B bombers’ production. He was principally responsible for all manufacturing activity associated with the aircraft’s wings. For the next four years he was assigned to Ballistic Missile Organization at Norton Air Force Base, Calif. He was also deputy program manager for the Peacekeeper Rail Garrison Program’s basing portion until its termination in 1991 by President Bush. After retiring he was an Air Force Junior ROTC senior aerospace instructor at Central High School, Prince George’s County Public Schools, Capitol Heights, Md. Joe’s survivors are his wife of 19 years, Diane Pitts Dortch, Clinton, Md.; son Justin Dortch, Bessemer, Ala.; mother, Catherine; stepchildren Derek Law of Miami, Selena Lewis (Chontae) of Bowie, Md., and William Lewis (Dalila) of Suffolk, Va. Survivors also include brothers and sisters Dorothy Jean Phillips, Vivian Dortch, retired Chief Master Sergeant Michael Dortch, Anthony Dortch, and Greta Westbrook (Anthony) of Crestview. Also, Angela Dortch of Indianapolis, Ind., Cynthia Dortch of Phoenix, Paul Dortch (Malissa) of Wilmington, Calif., Linda Lozier (Robert) of Douglasville, Ga., Shirley Coleman (David) of Shiloh, Ill., and Sheila Jones (Andrian) of Groveland, Fla. He also leaves six grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Funeral services were Oct. 31, 2014 at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Crestview, with interment at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola. (Joe’s loving family)
Clinton J. Land, ’99 Clint Land passed away Dec. 30, 2014 in the arms of his wife. Clint had been diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a rare brain cancer hardly ever seen in adults, almost four years prior. He fought a long, hard battle, researching endlessly to have more time with his family, while still trying to live a good life. Taken at the too young age of 37, he leaves behind a heartbroken family who loved him to the moon. Clint was born April 15, 1977 in Topeka, Kans., the son of Jane Tilghman and Michael Land. He graduated from Topeka West High School in 1995, and then from the United States Air Force Academy in 1999 with a degree in physics. He continued on to become a pilot and instructor pilot in the KC-135 refueling tanker, attaining the rank of major. He served more deployments to the Middle East than his family would care to remember. During his career, he was stationed at McConnell AFB 105
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN (Wichita, Kans.), Kadena AFB (Okinawa, Japan) and finally at Hickam AFB (Honolulu, Hawaii) where his Air Force career ended with a medical retirement. Clint married Leslie Su Hengst (of Dover, Del.) on Sept. 6, 2003. Their daughter Sophie, his princess, was born in 2009. Clint loved nothing more than his family. Clint loved to fly. He loved to learn, and to teach, whether it be to his friends and family, about the things for which he was passionate, and to substitute teach at Topeka Collegiate School, where the students adored him. He enjoyed building computers and creating programs and spreadsheets, playing mentally challenging video games and board games. Most of his family and friends had a hard time keeping up with his mind. He very much enjoyed lively conversations and debates, whether they were about politics and the need for small government, or environmental concerns or health issues. Many of his friends have expressed Clint Land that now they will never win a debate with him. His strength and passion have inspired many. He is survived by his wife, Leslie; daughter Sophie; parents, Jane (Richard) Tilghman and Michael (Sharon) Land; brother Adam (Tammy) Land; sisters Kate Land, Susan Tilghman, and Frankie Lizar; grandmother Jean Washington; best friends Shawn (Mandy) Berkley and James (Sara) Serra; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, both paternal grandparents, and cousin Candra. (Leslie Land, Clint’s wife)
John “Jack” Lindsey, ’18 John Lindsey, better known as “Jack” was a funny, hard working and focused young man. He grew up in Ruston, La., a tight-knit, wonderful and faith-filled community. He graduated as an honor graduate from Ruston High School where he lettered in varsity football and golf. He was also active in National Honor Society, Key Club, Interact Club, Spanish Club and was chosen to be a Bearcat Mentor. Jack was passionate about football and was an avid fan of the LSU Tigers and the New Orleans Saints. He loved attending football games and tailgating with his large, extended family. He strongly disliked “band wagon” fans and said loyalty was dying. Jack was also an accomplished guitar player. He used his musical talent to give back to others by playing at church, leading the music in Vacation Bible School, providing entertainment at the Poor Man’s Supper and performing every year at the annual John Simoneaux Memorial Jam, a fund raiser for the music department at Louisiana Tech.
AOG Written Obituary/ Tribute Procedures Outlined The Association of Graduates receives numerous questions concerning written obituaries/tributes in Checkpoints, specifically why some graduates do not have obituaries appear in the magazine. The AOG procedure is once the details of a graduate or cadet death is verified, that notice is placed on the AOG website and listed in the next magazine’s “At Presstime” section. Shortly thereafter the President and CEO sends a condolence letter to the next of kin informing them that the obituary editor will be contacting them shortly for an obituary submission. Next, the obituary editor sends a letter to the next of kin asking that they provide a writer for the obituary and a photograph of the deceased. The obituary is limited to 600 words maximum and a deadline for the next magazine is included. If the obituary and photograph appear by the deadline and are within the parameters necessary for magazine publication, the obituary appears in the next magazine. If not, a second letter is sent to the next of kin after that magazine is published asking for the obituary and photograph again with a deadline for the next magazine. The next of kin is also notified in the second letter that this will be the last request for an obituary. If the requested materials do not appear by the second deadline, no further action is taken and the obituary does not appear. 106
Jack spent much time during his summers at Navarre Beach in Florida. With Hurlburt Field, Eglin AFB and Tyndall AFB close by, there were plenty of planes and training activities going on that could be seen from the beach and Jack was fascinated by it all. He also fell in love with the Blue Angels after seeing them at an air show at Barksdale, AFB. After that, it was a requirement to attend Blue Angels practice at Pensacola NAS every summer while down there. His love of flying inspired him to want to get his private pilot’s license. To that end, he worked two jobs during the school year to pay for flying lessons and got his license in 2014. His dream was to fly and serve his country and he wanted to start that pursuit by getting into the United States Air Force Academy. In March of 2014, he realized that dream by accepting his appointment to the Class of 2018! Our family traveled to Colorado Springs to drop Jack off for in-processing day and he was excited and nervous. He began as a Demon and successfully completed BCT on Aug 5. I was there to see him get his boards pinned on. He was a member of CS-16, the Proud Chicken Hawks, and made many close friends within his squadron as well as cadets outside of his squadron. He never doubted his decision Jack Lindsey to attend the Academy and enjoyed activities such as intramural flag football, hiking and elk hunting as well as playing guitar for worship in the Cadet Chapel. He also began learning to ski and took to the sport quite easily. He loved it and skiing gave him a break from the rigors of Academy life. On Jan. 24, 2014, Jack headed to Keystone with many other cadets and military personnel for “Snow Fest”. He died that day in a skiing accident. He was 18 years old. The outpouring of love and support from his USAFA family has been amazing. Jack was an incredible young man who was truly living his dream but taken from us way too soon. Jack is survived by his father, Erskine Lindsey; his mother, Gail; and his brother Dan; two grandmothers and many aunts, uncles and cousins who love him. He also had another younger brother, Mark, who died suddenly in 2004. Jack will be remembered for his “half smile”, his patriotism, his love of flying and his nickname, “Smokestack”. There is no doubt that Jack is with his Lord. “FLY HIGH, JACK.” You are greatly missed. (Gail Lindsey, Jack’s mother) (Editor’s note: The AOG does not always have all the information concerning the death of a graduate. We only publish the information we have available on each deceased graduate or cadet.) At press time we learned of the deaths of the following graduates and cadet: Mr. John G. “Deacon” Houston, Class of 1959, who died on May 2, 2015 in Wilsonville, Ore. Lt. Col. (Ret) Clark E. Lovrien, Jr., Class of 1959, who died on May 3, 2015 in Spanaway, Wash. Mr. William S. “Steve” Bishop, Class of 1960, who died on April 25, 2015 in Colorado. Lt. Col. (Ret) Norman F. Roderick, Class of 1962, who died on April 6, 2015 in Placitas, N.M. Mr. David J. Whitney, Class of 1972, who died on March 2, 2015 near Boynton Beach, Fla. Mr. Dean L. Carroll, Class of 1974, who died on March 23, 2015 in Boerne, Texas Col. (Ret) Gregory L. Lockhart, Class of 1977, who died on April 14, 2015 in Dumfries, Va. Col. (Ret) William B. McClure, Class of 1981, who died on Jan. 24, 2014 in Alabama. Lt. Col. (Ret) Phillip L. Perry, Class of 1981, who died on March 24, 2015 in Marietta, Ga. Mr. John A. Habeich, Class of 1987, who died on April 13, 2015 in Nevada. Mr. Scott M. Hines, Class of 1992, who died on Feb. 21, 2015 in Palm Springs, Calif. C1C Alexandre J. Quiros, Class of 2015, who died on April 2, 2015 at the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of these graduates and cadet.
Class News Ed Josephson 23 Old Gordon Road Brentwood, NH 03833 H: (603) 778-1495 Cell: (603) 770-6003 Josephson@comcast.net
something fast and maneuverable suitable for fishing, he somehow ended up with a Hurricane Deck Boat that can hold to 10 people and, according to him, is absolutely NOT a bass boat. He said it felt like he went shopping for a Mustang and came home with a Winnebago. On the bright side, Sheila likes the deck boat and Jim can now buy a less expensive bass boat.
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The Virginia/Maryland/DC group is back in action. Bill and Anna Telford reported on a gathering at the Boars’ Head Inn in Charlottesville. The Washington group included Dick and Vera Goetze, H.T. and Ann Johnson, Mike and Marian Reardon, Jim and Molly Connelly, Steve and Patty Hamer, Kent and Fredda Montavon and Ron Lanman. Fred and Brenda Wynn came down from the mountains while Robin and Bev Kozelka and Judy Jay came from the Virginia Shore. Joe Morgan and Jan Waters came from Annapolis (and a month later became Mr. and Mrs. Morgan as noted in the previous column). Ed and Lucia Montgomery came all the way from Colorado to win the distance award. Filling out the gathering were Wayne and Bonnie Jefferson and Brenda Welch from the Charlottesville area. According to Bill, a great deal of time was spent discussing the latest surgeries and ailments. As the old saying goes, “I’m so old, I don’t buy green bananas”. The important thing is to be on the right side of the grass and still telling war stories.
Bill celebrated the big “80th” this year. When Annie asked him what he wanted to do, he said, “Go to Disneyworld”. So they did – along with all six of their children and 13 of 15 grandchildren. They stayed at the Shades of Green (we did a mini-reunion there once) and had a fantastic time! Bill says they really treated them well and it is a wonderful place for another of our reunions – mini or full. Jim Reed has kindly sent a status report on his various projects. The following is extracted from that report. Jim is still compiling the class history as his day job permits. He is trying to add “Aircraft Flown” info, but it is difficult. He doesn’t have access to anyone’s DD214 or any other current source. He does have some 20-year-old records he is working with but fears this section may end up as “incomplete”. Gee, maybe his classmates can send him a list of aircraft they have flown. How about it? Jim is also working on trying to get copies of the early Academy histories we discussed at the reunion. Sabre Society Donors He thinks a visit to the AF Historical Research Agency may be necessary. The history compilation has grown too large for a DVD (think videos and photos). One possibility is to put everything together on the cloud and thus accessible to everyone. The idea of getting personal copies is not generating much support from the various agencies, but he has not given up yet. Jim’s son Scott (’84) recently visited for a weekend. Scott retired as an O6 and the Deputy Director for Plans at ACC and is now working for DARPA. His job took him to Orlando so he took the opportunity to visit Jim and Sheila. Well, the timing was great. Jim had just bought a new boat. Seeking
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Jim and Scott The story does not end there. Since son Scott came home for the weekend, father and son try out the new deck boat on their lake. I think Scott caught the first fish. At least it was the biggest fish. In the first hour of fishing he caught an 8-plus pound largemouth bass, entered it into Florida’s TrophyCatch program and got $100 in gift cards and a T-shirt. Jim, are sure this is not a suitable bass boat? At the reunion we were strongly encouraged to hold mini-reunions. It looks like that idea has taken root. Probably by the time you read this column Max Miller will have gathered some of us in Denver to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of that First Day in 1955. Next on the mini-reunion trail is the Navy game on Oct 3. Joe and Janet Morgan are making the arrangements for this one. On the agenda is a pregame tailgate (with a new caterer), a block of game seats arranged through the Navy [sic], parking passes at the nearby church, rooms blocked at the Courtyard, and dinner at the Navy Officers-Faculty Club. Sounds like a great plan. At this writing there is a third mini-reunion in the planning stage. If it works out you should have gotten some information by now. It is another of Jim Reed’s projects and is a Southeastern mini-reunion. Maybe we will get a chance to go out on the famous bass-catching deck boat. On April 25th our USAFA Athletic Hall of Fame inducted its 5th class that included the undefeated 1958 Cotton Bowl Football Team. Representing the Team were Brock Strom, George Pupich (’60), Randy Cubero, Sam Hardage and Mike Quinlan (all ’61). Joining them were Dave Phillips’ daughter Julie, the family of Jim Conboy, and Jim Bowman’s son. The other ’59ers on the team were Tom Jozwiak, John Gulledge, Steve Galios, Charlie Zaleski, Dave Phillips, Eddie Rosane, Larry Thomson, Don Madonna, Bill McLain, Charlie May, Jay Mitchell, Giles Wideman and Emil Cwach. Team Captain Brock accepted the award. His very heartfelt and emotional acceptance speech focused on the role the Cadet Wing played in the achievement. He detailed the extraordinary support for the team. Each game in this, our first season against top-level competition, was marked by a special message of encouragement. Just before one game each player got a telegram from his squadron and another featured a live radio broadcast of the game via telephone from Washington to an Academy auditorium. The biggest hit was an unannounced ad hoc bus trip to Iowa, an idea proposed by Ed Montgomery. The Cadet Wing Staff requested approval from Superintendent Briggs just days before the game. He gave the OK provided transportation could be arranged and the cadets pay the cost. Enough buses were chartered for an estimated twenty-hour (one way) trip. Dean McDermott agreed to cancel Saturday classes (made up later). Brock said the Team was surprised and jubilant when the Wing marched on the field. Iowa also went undefeated, won the Rose Bowl and ended #1. Another inductee was our basketball Coach Bob Spear (accepted by his son). Bob Beckel led the team. Major Spear was assisted by Lieutenant Smith, known as “Smitty”. Later he was known as Coach Dean Smith of the University of North Carolina. Beckel and Brock are members of the first Hall of Fame class included in 1007. Thought for the quarter: “We haven’t done badly in a bare four years,” says a high-ranking faculty member. “I’d say 50% of the first graduating class are the well balanced men we wanted to produce, 25% are lacking except in scientific and engineering skills, and the rest should not be graduated.” Quoted from Time Magazine, June 1, 1959
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Class News A.W. Biancur 13634 Paradise Villas Grove Colorado Springs, CO 80921 (719) 488-4317 bacfly60@msn.com http://www.usafaclasses.org/ 1960/afa60.html
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With the retirement of our long-term class scribe, Alfred (Rosie) Cler, I am making my meager attempt at continuing our submission of superior class columns. There is no way I can come close to matching the last 30 years of excellence from Rosie. And, hopefully, for the fall issue, we will find a classmate that will relieve me from my less than comparable efforts. I am sure the entire class joins me in expressing our very sincere appreciation for the yeoman job Rosie has done reporting our class activities since he took the reins in 1985. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your unfailing dedication and service to our class. We will not forget your timeless work. Not that he was ever really lost; JT Smith recently located Steve Bishop in a care facility near Longmont, CO. Unfortunately, shortly after a recent two-hour visit by Jim and Jenny Glaza, and Deanne and John McCullough, Steve passed away on 25 April, 2015.
Jim and Jeannette Glaza, Steve Bishop, John and Deanne McCullough In addition to Steve Bishop’s death, I also need to inform you of the untimely loss of Jerry Farquhar’s wife; Dorothy C. Westby, who died quietly in Okeechobee, FL, March 17th, 2015, after a long illness. O K, on a far lighter note, let me get on with the task of bringing you up to date on a few of the class members who have been busy leading interesting lives. A quick call to Phil Meinhardt, aka “The Sage of the Desert” (his words), and now a permanent resident of the “the good life’ in Palm Desert, CA, disclosed that Goose Gulbransen rolled in to visit him. To honor the occasion, Phil hosted a small dinner party featuring Pat and Earl VanInwegen and friends. Phil mentioned that the class social circle in Palm Desert grows over the winter as he and the Vans are joined by Vic and Suzanne Yoakum, and occasionally Greg Boyington and June Colgan. While in-residence it seems there is a nearly constant circuit of social activity. During the remainder of the year, the Sage, currently between wives, lives in indolent pleasure working on his novel and sampling the many female opportunities present in the Palm Springs area.
On 18 March, the local Class of ’60 contingent met for our monthly lunch. In the first row are Pete Roe, Jock Schwank, Bruce Mosier, Andi Biancur, and Gordy Savage. Standing: Jim Waddle, Jack Brush, Jim Glaza,
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Fred Porter (head only), Dick Sexton, Wayne Kendall, Dave Reed, George Pupich, Tony Bilello, and John McCullough. Following some excellent food and some shared laughs, the typical update on various assorted ails and age-related medical problems, Wayne Kendall gave a very useful presentation on the collection of cold medications he encountered on the counters of our local drug stores. If I were to capsulize his description of the more common over-the-counter remedies, I would conclude that the more words in the title, the more it costs without providing a requisite number of benefits. In reality, compare ingredients, and do not ignore the generics in selecting what you believe you need. He left us with a well-thought-out paper to guide in future searches. One of our authors, Gordy Savage, informed us that he is well along on his next book. It is nice to know that he has joined several of our other classmates is producing something to share during retirement. His new book is tentatively named Teleportal, with a possible subtitle of Escape to Long Valley because it promises a sequel. Gordy has finished the first draft and second draft, and is now working with a Betareader (his daughter Kathy). When he gets her input it will go to a professional editor for final proofreading. Note – Gordon’s first book Peacemaker has been added Sabre Society Donors to the AOG graduate authors webpage. Jack Brush spoke about his upcoming speed record attempt in his Aerostar. He outlined the involved bureaucratic process required by the FAA, and the intricate elements necessary to validate an effort to have any record recognized at both national and international levels. First, there are all sorts of international aircraft records recognized by the FAI (Federation Aeronautiqe Internationale) whose US representative is the NAA (National Aeronautic Association). The class most light aircraft are in is C!D (Reciprocating engines with take-off weight 3858 to 6614 lbs). The interesting records are out and back closed courses of varying lengths. The short lengths ( 3km,15km,and 100km were set three years ago by a hot rod Czech trainer with a big retrofitted engine). The 500km and 1000km records were set in a turbocharged Bellanca in 1975 about 340 mph. There was only one made. The longest, 2000km, was set in a turbocharged Aerostar in 1975 similar to mine flying at 272 mph.
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Jack’s Aerostar N21D -- Courtesy of Flightaware. Second, most souped-up Aerostar 700s could match that record, but it’s a challenge because it requires 4 hours flying 1,100 nautical miles. Third, his Aerostar is reportedly faster or less draggy than others due to 30 years of tweaking the rigging, drag reduction, and a quirk of fate when in 1974 about 100 wing sets were subcontracted by Ted Smith to Ryan Aircraft in San Diego. They were made exactly to specs with very smooth laminar flow. (Recall Ryan built Lindberg’s wings.) There are lots of administrative hoops to jump through. You can’t just do it and use Flight Aware. Jack knows the airplane will complete the required course within flight manual altitudes and power settings, so his roles are the paper work, navigation, and staying awake watching the autopilot for four hours. The glider folks have developed tiny portable GPS-based flight data recorders that record position and altitude data every second. And, since fast recips are not the latest fashion, if he can log the speed he expects of 310 mph any record he sets could stand for a while. Stay tuned, With the assistance and approval of his widow (Linda (Bourque) Sheppard, the class has taken action to have Val’s grave marker here at the Academy replaced with a marker that more appropriately honors the special place he holds within our class and in Academy history. The new plaque is now in-work and should be in place well before our 55th Reunion in October.
Jim Glaza tells me that 15 of his group of 31 who will have completed their 17-day sojourn from Amsterdam to Vienna by mid-May are Academy Classmates/widows. Jim is planning a trip to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos for May of 2016, but is not sure any openings will be available by the time this is published. As a group leader for Overseas Adventure Travel/Grand Circle Travel, he has established our class as an “affinity group”, which garners an additional 10% discount of all travel costs (including air fare). Jim tries to put together a Class of ’60 focused trip every year. Hopefully by the next issue, we will be reading the prose of a much more accomplished writer with additional news of class happenings. Go to the class web page for more news.
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Earl N. “Nelson” O’Rear Members 50582 Stonington Drive Granger, IN 46530-8243 H: (574) 273-2597 E-mail: enoandtjo@gmail.com Class Web Site: www.usafa1961.org John Goodley departed our midst on 21 February. His family held a memorial service in San Antonio on 2 March, and he was buried at the Academy Cemetery on 23 March. Approximately 17 family members and her dear friend Nancy Taylor accompanied Elenora (Casey) Goodley to USAFA. Marc and Ginger Anderson, Sam Barazzone, Randy and Jan Cubero, Don and Peggy Danborn, Wayne and Erna Haring, Jim Hinkle, Paul Hinton, Charlie and Linda Neel, Terry and Carleen Storm, Tom and Crystal Wilhelm (representing Jim and Nancy), and George Pupich (’60) also attended. After the graveside ceremony, all went to Doolittle Hall and enjoyed a catered lunch, after which they were treated to a family-created video celebrating John’s life. His obituary is in the Gone But Not Forgotten section of Sabre Society this magazine. Donors Sunshine and good-looking golf greens welcomed ’61 classmates as they gathered as guests of Charley Dixon for lunch at the Springfield Country Club on Tuesday, 24 March. Charley, Bill and Theda Foster, Jack and Diane McDonough, John Sullivan, and John and Joan Kohout shared news, compared travel plans, and set early sights on the Navy game in Annapolis on 3 October. They missed regulars like Lowell and Sandy Jones, Bill and Rhoda Stackhouse, Spike and Becky Nunn, Bill Sanzenbacher, and Hector and Joan Negroni. Pat Buckley joined by phone from Florida. Visitors are welcome, so call a local classmate and join them if a trip to the DC area is planned. Mark and Ginger Anderson made two trips to the Academy recently: one in March and one in April. The first for John Goodley’s interment (very moving), and the second for Tom Eller’s induction as a Distinguished Graduate (very exciting). They are planning a trip this summer to Scandinavia (Norway and Sweden) to see Mark’s Anderson roots. Pat and Marilyn Buckley ignored the weather forecast and visited Pat’s daughter and grandchildren in Brookline, MA, just in time for two feet of February snow, which delayed their flight to England by several days. On 11 February, they flew to England for their annual visit for Marilyn’s Mum’s birthday celebration (95th) as well as visiting children, grandchildren, and friends. On 1 March, they flew to Valle d’Aosta, Italy for a week of skiing, then returned to England, followed by a week in their Spanish home. They returned to their Satellite Beach, FL, home the latter part of March. Later, they headed north for Bill and Theda Fosters’ 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration on 11 April. They enjoyed the music, dancing, dining, and drinking with all of the Foster children and most grandchildren, ’61 classmates (John and Joan Kohout, Jack and Diane McDonough, Bill and Rhoda Stackhouse, Charley Dixon, Spike and Becky Nunn) and many other Air Force and neighborhood friends. It was a great party. Doug Cairns is happy to report that his grandson Nathan will be joining the Class of 2019 at West Point this summer. Nathan will be following in the footsteps of his father, Class of 1987, and his great-grandfather, Class of 1932, and several uncles and cousins. Since Doug is the only family member (except brother-in-law Jim Hourin) to go to USAFA, the AF vs Army game is an interesting time. Brice Jones and now Paul Stephen share that dilemma. Clair Carling has been the treasurer of a houseboat association at Lake Powell for the past 7 years. Several months ago, the president resigned and left the association. Clair could not get a volunteer to be president, even after pleading with all 20 owners. So now he is the president and the treasurer. That is taking a lot of his time, especially as the season is getting started. But it has its advantages -- he makes the decisions, establishes the budget, orders everyone to send him money, writes checks, and spends
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the money -- all without an auditor. With this kind of power, and being the “captain of the ship,” he feels just like he’s in the Navy. Lily Carlstrom said that Dave is doing about the same. He is being well cared for in their local VA hospital. She is very appreciative of the prayers, cards, and phone calls from classmates and their families. All the snow they received in Massachusetts kept life interesting for her getting around this winter. Jim Cassidy has previously documented his son’s bout with ALS. Since he has no use of his hands or arms, he works his computer utilizing Eye Gaze technology where he moves the cursor using his eyes. His son has a program on his computer that allows him to paint, a hobby he enjoyed and was very good at since he was a child. He recently donated one of his paintings for the silent auction at an ALS fundraiser. It was the most sought after and highest-priced item of the event. In September Jim started career number three. He teaches Real Estate Licensing classes for two Real Estate schools licensed by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission. He also teaches new-member orientation and professional standards for his local Association of Realtors. In Irving, TX, Donna and Paul Dean had dinner with Tom and Bonnie Williams and Dick Fairlamb the week of 6 April. Paul and Donna showed them their new villa at the senior living center. The Deans are still trying to sell their house and hope that the new upgrades to the kitchen and a few other improvements will help. Their broker (son Jeff) has been working very hard to make it happen. Anne and Tom Eller send many thanks to the class for your prayers during his illness in Florida and for your congratulations on the Distinguished Graduate Award. He is humbled, but grateful. Lowell Jones said that Sandy is now in the nursing center at the Falcons Landing military retirement community in Potomac Falls, VA. She has been in treatment since December for stomach pain, caused by a 95% blocked aorta artery, and weight loss due to a throat blockage. Lowell is hoping to return her to their apartment again after she regains some weight following a recent medical procedure to feed her. Bob Kellock and Samantha Carlson have had five months of life-directed scenarios. Samantha’s 95-year-old aunt died 11 December, and her burial in Lovington, NM, moved their Christmas trip to Patagonia to January. They said if one can have a “good” time at a funeral, they had the best. Her aunt’s life-long friends all showed up, were pallbearers, and everyone told stories about her meaningful life. A bit later, Samantha’s cousins called to tell her that another aunt was near death, so Samantha flew back that day and Bob followed the next, just in time to be there for her passing. She was cremated, and her ashes will be interred with her sister in the future. They returned to Patagonia in March to show Samantha’s 1975 Mustang II in the National Mustang Club of America 50th anniversary car show at Tucson’s Casino del Sol resort. They learned a lot from the judges and hope to apply that knowledge to receive an award at the next show. They plan to run a Memorial Day weekend regatta for their local yacht club, attend our Santa Fe mini-reunion, travel to Hawaii for the Transpac Race finishes, and visit Bob’s roots in Henderson Harbor, NY, on Lake Ontario. Hector and Joan Negroni are falling into a rhythm of spending January to May in their Bonita Springs, FL, home and May to January in their Vienna, VA, home. Traveling between the two places via the Auto Train saves a lot of driving. Visits from their two sons and five grandchildren enhance their Florida stay. The Negronis enjoyed hosting his old roommate, Ken Ballien and wife, Dean, for cocktails and snacks in their Bonita Springs home and then treated them to a lovely dinner in a nearby restaurant. The next week they went to Venice, FL, where the Collins Foundation had an air display that featured a B-24, B-17, and P-51. The $2,200 fee for half an hour airborne in the P-51 kept them grounded. Ken hopes to see some of you on 3 October at the Air Force/Navy football game. Sarah and Charlie Stebbins now better understand some of the implications of “building your house upon a rock” after having to deal with a water leak on their property. They learned that digging a long trench through rocky soil, laying new pipes, redoing some of their yard watering system as a result, punching holes through a stone wall house exterior and the concrete slab, etc. costs a LOT. They made no mention of a crowdfunding site to help out though. Other than that, it sounds as if they are doing well and enjoying life. Paul Stephen has a tradition dating back to his father. Whenever all or nearly all of the offspring get together, they try to take a picture of them in the back of his pickup truck. Then when someone asks how many grand-
JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY! YOUR MONEY HELPS FUND CADET WING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED. CALL (719) 472-0300 X200. 109
Class News
kids he has, he just says, “A pickup full.” That way he doesn’t have to remember how many he actually has. His oldest grandson, Tyler Lampe, has been accepted to West Point, where he plans to play football. All others are still in school trying to decide. Tom and Judy Wilson returned to Minnesota from their annual “retreat” to the warmer state of Florida just after spring arrived. Tom even put his snow shovels away for the year. They are looking forward to our Santa Fe reunion and encourage all who can make it to sign up and meet them there. Bud and Carolyn McCollum are doing a great job of planning everything. Thanks to all who have shared. Please make plans to do so next quarter, especially if you did not this time.
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John W. “Jack” Jamba Members 4 Judy Court Satellite Beach, FL 32937 H: (321) 777-5520 O: (321) 861-6279 Cell: (321) 432-1370 E-Mail: jwjamba@aol.com
Hi Redtags, It’s Spring again except here in Florida, where it has already broken two record high temperatures for this time of year. Can hardly wait for our winter to arrive, all 45 days of it. From Logan Babin: “A Red Tag Mini Reunion was held in New Orleans on April 7th & 8th. Attending were Logan and Anne Babin, Jerry and Jackie Daniel, Cliff and Jane Fallon, Duke and Monika Green, Alex and Rosemary Harwick, Dick and Helen Hoffert, Dave and Linda Holt, Keith and Sherry Keppen, Dick Klass, and Edd and Fran Wheeler. We had two great dinners and toured the World War II Museum. Most enjoyed some of the nightlife in the French Quarter.” Thanks Logan. Sure wish I could have been Sabre Society there. Donors From Ed Martinelli: “After the New Orleans reunion, it was suggested that there be one in the panhandle area of Florida, with Dick Hoffert organizing same. Randy Schamberger and I will work with him. My questions are: 1) How far would y’all be willing to travel for a reunion? The Eglin AFB area, or where? Any dates in mind? Potential attendees?” Let Ed know! Thanks, Ed. I’ll be there. From Grant Lannon, “I enjoyed reading about George Harrison’s activities with his own airplane and the Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force in Atlanta. Enclosing a picture of me with the Central Texas Wing’s P-39, which I flew for the first time in five years after flying it back to San Marcos, TX.
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Took five years to get it operational again. It’s one of two or three that are still flying. I joined the Commemorative Air Force in 1997 while an Aerospace engineer at Tracor/BAE SYSTEMS in Austin, subsequently flying almost 500 hours in the B-25 and 1,000 hours in the AT-6. I have 18 years with the organization but 3-4 days working at the WWII hangar in San Marcos keeps me moving. This is truly my longest PCS. I don’t think I would be flying into my 70s if I hadn’t taken 15 years off from flying and windsurfed for a hobby (same psychomotor skills) after AF retirement in 1982. Judy and I are still enjoying our 1929-era house 15 blocks west of the Texas Capitol in Austin. Exercising at Gold’s gym helps me do long walks to all the great hangouts in downtown Austin. A beer is great motivation for 2-3 mile walks. Thanks for your work Jack.” And thanks for that great update. Keep on ticking and flying. From Jerry Singleton, “USAFA dedicated a plaque of all AFA grads who were POWs during the Vietnam era and placed it in the Southeast Asia Pavilion. The three of us are in front of the SEA map.
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John Fer, PK Robinson, and Jerry Singleton They now have our war criminal records preserved for posterity. We had a great visit with 16 other grad POWs. Jim Mack and Erv Rokke joined us for close air support. The superintendent and the commandant joined as did General Ron Yates (‘60) who was responsible for making the POW plaque and related events happen.” Thanks Jerry. A great tribute to our classmate heroes. From George Larson: “We made a road trip to Salem, OR, for our 23year-old granddaughter’s wedding which was on Saturday, the 18th. She was the most beautiful bride; it was the loveliest ceremony and she married the most wonderful man! Also there was our USAFR Colonel son Bret, George and Jan Larson; Jan’s mother, Jeanette; bride’s mother, Lisa; Groom and Bride, Steve and Katelyn; son Brock, sister Colleen, brothers Josh and Will, daughter Michelle and husband Michael; and granddaughter Mallory. Thanks, George. Good wedding group. From Bob Lightsey: “Last week was apparently my week to hear from people I rarely hear from. On Monday, Jack Geiger came up from Williamsburg and we went down to the Tidal Basin with him and his wife, Jean, to see the annual cherry blossoms. Jack had a career as an airline pilot and is now retired. Then on Wednesday I had lunch with Allan Wylie and his wife, Jan, plus Scott Fisher. Al is retired in Vermont and Scott in Arlington here in the DC area.” Thanks Bob. I didn’t have room for pics. Hal Rhodes and Chuck Cheeseman were recently at Happy Hour at The Garlic in New Smyrna Beach, FL, and they Skyped George Thompson in Pskov, Russia. They passed the iPhone around so everyone could say hello and he reported he felt like he was “right in the middle of the party” (except for the lack of food and drink, of course). George will be visiting the USA this summer, in June. From PK Robinson: “Jerry Singleton was just elected President of the Jolly Green Association and Don Shepperd was elected President of the Super Sabre Society. Got to see Shep during the Dayton, OH SSS reunion and he did a great job. Suspect you have the photos of Shep flying the “Wright Flyer”. PK” I got the pic but no room here. A wonderful gathering was held In at Alex and Rosemary Harwick’s house and amazing hangar in Tallassee, AL: war memories, aircraft and vintage sports cars. Dick Hoffert, Logan and Ann Babin, Edd and Fran Wheeler, Dick Klass, and Dave and Linda Holt attended. The group then moved to Atlanta. The highlight was the USAFA Falcons vs. Georgia State Panthers football game in the old Georgia Dome. Attended the Air Force Falcons tailgate party; enjoyed a delicious barbecue lunch. The Falcons Cheerleaders led us in some warm-up exercises for the game.
From left are Holt, Klass, Hines, Wheeler, Engels, Patrie and Mettler. Also participating was Don Netzinger. Afterwards Steve and Kathryn Mettler hosted a cook-out at their beautiful home in suburban Atlanta. On Sunday, Geoff Engels reprised one of his previous jobs as museum docent giving Joe Hines a personalized
tour of the Museum of Aviation, Macon, GA. Geoff was an engineer with the Warner-Robins AMA, and has the inside scoop on many museum exhibits. Geoff also had several patents on engineering fixes for the CH53, one of which had a commercial application and resulted in some extra bucks in Geoff’s pocket. It was a great weekend! The Association of Graduates has recently learned of the death of Lt Col (Ret) Norman F. Roderick, CS-03, Class of 1962. Lt Col Roderick passed away on 6 Apr 2015 in Placitas, NM. After a private family wake, Lt Col Roderick was cremated and his ashes will be scattered per his wishes by the family. Donations in lieu of flowers should be sent to the Association of Graduates; 3116 Academy Dr.; USAF Academy, CO 80840. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Mrs. Judith Roderick, 72 Overlook Dr.; Placitas, NM 87043-8907. I really had to chop some articles and scrap others. No room. I’ll find a way to send those items in an email to everyone. That’s it for now. Our newest grads will have faced the outside world by the time you read this. Good luck and God speed to all. Cheers, Jack Norman I. (Skip) Lee 63119 E. Cat Claw Lane Tucson, AZ 85739-2058 Home: (520) 825-7980 Cell: (520) 241-3498 54wrs63@gmail.com Class Web Site: www.usafa63.org
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The AOG has informed us of the death of Mr. Carlton T. “Bud” West, CS-22 class of 1963. Bud passed away on 15 Mar 2015 in Dahlonega, GA after suffering a heart attack. The funeral service was held the on the 17th. Burial was in Cavender Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Dahlonega, GA. Bud’s family suggested memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to the American Heart Association; PO Box 840692; Dallas, TX 75284 (800) 242-8721 www.heart.org. Condolences may be sent to his family in care of his wife, Mrs. Sue West; 331 Summit Dr. Dahlonega, GA 30054 Jim Kuhn attended the service for Bud and thought it was very nice. Among the attendees were many of Bud’s relatives. Jim added when making plans to go he thought he might be the only one, but 22nd Sq was well represented with Ike Payne and Roger Kornberg in attendance also. Ike has taken the role of preparing an obit for Checkpoints and I know he would welcome any comments you might be able to add. The family really appreciated that we showed such respect to our fallen classmate. It was an honor Sabre Society to be there. Donors Notes from Diff: Our Class Endowment continues to grow as pledges steadily and faithfully come in. The Academy Endowment, our fiscal manager, reports the Fund returned 4.5% in 2014. Our fund is invested in a long term, world-wide diversified portfolio. While US stocks (S&P 500) were up 11%, non-US stocks were down about 7%, thus the moderate 2014 gain. Thanks to the efforts of Bob Hayes and Bill Ball, soon there will be a most attractive plaque beside the cup cabinet in Arnold Hall. The Superintendent requested we call attention more clearly to our display, Pat’s ring, and the kiosks. This effort has been ongoing for many months with lots of negotiations with various Academy agencies. It will be a super addition to the Heritage Display. Many thanks to Bob and Bill. Mini Reunion 12 Sept! Bob Hayes announced that like the last several minis, we’ve picked Sep 12th, AF vs. San Jose St, as better than an Oct date, but we can’t come up with definite times/events now because we don’t have a start time for football—morning, afternoon or evening. We live in the new TV age. Specific plans for the mini will remain in limbo until after Checkpoints is published in June. Hopefully, it will be an afternoon game and we’ll do our usual Friday evening dinner, Saturday tailgate and cup-turning ceremony and dinner after the game. We’ll adjust and get the word out if it’s a morning or evening game. Special Request: Just in case not everyone saw the email from Bob McAllister of the AOG making a special request to the Class of 1963. Bob, the AOG Senior VP of Communications, relayed a request from Colorado Springs Gazette columnist David Ramsay who is working on a feature
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Fryer and JFK about President John F. Kennedy’s 1963 graduation address here at the Academy. He would appreciate hearing from ‘63 graduates about any special memories or stories that you have to share. Please contact him at david.ramsey@gazette.com. I heard from Peeps Bogaert. The Hawaiian trade winds blew some of us winter weary ’63 grads and wives to Waikiki. Frolicking in the sun at the Hale Koa’s Barefoot Bar were Sandy and Jim Johnston, Lynne and Dick Shutack, “Peeps” and Jim Bogaert, and Tere and Bob Brenci. The Zoomie gathering is becoming a tiny tradition, as some of the couples have been meeting for several years at the military hotel in the February-March time frame. Plans are to meet again -- same time and place -- in 2016.
From left at the Hale Koa Hotel’s Barefoot Bar are Sandy and Jim Johnston, Lynne and Dick Shutack, Peeps and Jim Bogaert, and Tere and Bob Brenci. A note from Dan Ringler telling me he is heading up the 3rd Military Airlift Squadron reunion 19 -22 October in Fairfield, CA (near Travis AFB). Along with a number of classmates, Dan and I were both in the then 3rd ATS while at Charleston between 1964 and 1965. Charleston was our first assignment out of flight school and that triggers a lot of memories. The story goes: a number of us newly minted pilots arrived at Charleston AFB back in October 1964. Classmates I remember included Barney Bartlett, Gordon Bredvick, Dick Ferency, Denny Haycraft, and Dan Ringler plus a West Point ’63 grad, Bill Sipos. We were right out of pilot training and destined to become airlift pilots for MATS. Without any aircraft training enroute or anything else such as survival at Stead, we reported for duty with either the 3rd ATS or the 17th ATS. The powers to be didn’t know what to do with us but over time we went through ground and simulator training in Old Shaky and an occasional flight in the pattern with an instructor and on the line as 3rd Pilots. Then, in the spring of 1965 rumors were confirmed: we were given orders to travel to Tinker AFB, OK for training in the brand new C-141! We were in the first Charleston class (P-13) along with a group of other neophytes and an equal number of old-head C-124 Instructor Pilots and Flight Engineers. We returned to Charleston from Tinker in August of 1965 and precisely one year later most of us new copilots left for SEA assignments—I was to be a FAC in the O-1. Dan’s experience was very similar but was off to SEA after a year’s training learning to fly helicopters and then the HH-53B prior to heading to Udorn RTAFB. Dan added that Carl Oliver was his flight instructor for the H-19 at Sheppard AFB, TX when he started helicopter flight training. “Ollie” also ended up in Udorn with Dan flying the HH-53Bs. Dan said Carl was a great helicopter pilot, and it’s really sad that he lost his life (through no fault of his own) while flying an HH-53B training mission over the Gulf of Mexico when he was at Eglin AFB and after he returned from SEA. Must be many stories like this. If you have one, send it along with photos.
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On 6 May 2006, C-141 SN 66-0177 the last operational C-141 (the famous Hanoi Taxi) landed for the last time and was received in a formal retirement ceremony at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. There are, I am told, only 15 of the airplanes on display throughout the country.
Dan and SonHe Dan says he still dabbles some in real estate as well as working on the 3rd MAS reunion. Dan’s wife, SonHe, has a great job working at Johnson & Johnson in Vacaville and stays very busy. They are planning a cruise to Mexico in May. That’s it for this time. Linda and I are planning to be at the Mini-Reunion in September. Hope to see you there! Bob Hovde 206 Walker Ave. Huntsville, AL 35801 (H) (256) 532-3923 (M) (256) 348-9794 bob@hovde.us
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Denny, Kris and Marty acting 50 years younger. Reunions anyone? Tom Eggers wrote looking for contact information for Gary Dickinson. Unfortunately, I had the same information he (and the AOG) had. Anyway, he said they are trying to get everyone together for a UPT reunion. He also said that 7th Sqdn is having another yearly reunion in DC 8-11 October this year. [OK, 12th Sqdn! Who said they’d make arrangements for a reunion? I’m ready!] In the reunion vein, Doug Jenkins wrote that the February Old Trolls get-together was a Valentine’s Day luncheon with wives. He said that Jerry & Marilyn Zionic, Doug & Jackie Jenkins, Rod & Sabra Wells, Linda & Roger Neeland, Polly & Jack Wojnaroski, and Barb & Jim Hermanson all had a good time at CB & Potts in Colorado Springs. Some Guys get all of the E-Tickets! Ed Mechenbier wrote: “Just when you think you’ve had enough fun, the chance to do something new and interesting pops Sabre Society up. As part of the American300 Resiliency Training Donors program I have been touring dozens of military bases all over the States. Two weeks ago I visited the Coast Guard station in Ketchikan, AK for some ‘heavy sea’ training. The weather was too rough for the 175’ buoy tender or the 110’ cutter to go out, so we got in a 25’ SAR boat for some E ticket fun in 10’ waves. Amazing what the Coasties do every day with a mission that never gets a day off. The picture was taken before the 4.5 hour ‘cruise,’ but I ‘lasted’ longer than 3 of the crew! Small victory.”
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Snow? – I know it will be hot and dry when you read this (unless you live in Colorado), but maybe it’ll feel better looking at the snow. Denny Montgomery took pictures before and during a ski trip with Kris Mineau and Marty Bushnell at Powder Mountain, Utah, in January. I’ve included the one in which faces can be seen. While the others are great ski photos, helmets and goggles don’t make for good recognition. (That, and I’m limited to three photos per article!) Denny wrote that “the photo of Kris skiing is pretty amazing since he was basically rebuilt by orthopedic surgeons, with a little help from the Lord as he will tell you, after a near supersonic bailout from an F-4 in the early ‘70s. Not only does he ski, but for an “old guy”, he skis pretty well! (Also slipped in one of Marty skiing the powder and come to think of it, he is even older than Kris and me! Not too shabby...)” Ed tries out his sea-legs in rough seas. I, of course, couldn’t let it go at that, so I fired back, “Wait a minute! Ketchikan is supposed to be on the ‘Inside Passage’ where the waves are small. Did they call up a storm just to test you?” To which Ed immediately replied, “The winds in the Dixon Passage were sustained at 82 mph which whipped things up for the week. We got 5.5” of rain one day and 4.75” the next (a record) from the storm. As you know, it’s a different world in the winter with storms – and no cruise ships – than in the fair weather of summer and huge tourist flows.” Speaking of Ed: Jay Kelly wrote that “Ed was the guest speaker at the Academy Annual Awards Banquet last evening, Thursday, 5 March. His presentation was absolutely superb and extremely well received by all. ’64 could not have been better represented! Even had some ’64 wine on the table from our 50th Reunion. [Some of the wine is] still available if any of our classmates are interested! Just contact me.” Where are you now? I guess that the Hermansons headed to Arizona right after the February Old Trolls luncheon, because he wrote that they were coming home in April, just in time for the POW Memorial dedication and dinner. Warm weather aside, Jim said they managed a visit to Tucson to visit Marty and Cindy Neuens, who told him about the dedication/dinner. Check elsewhere in this issue for news of the dedication. Back to Colorado Springs: The Superintendent had a reception for the Academy Annual Awards Banquet and Ed Mechenbier, Max James and
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Fred Gregory were there, as was my daughter/son-in-law. I guess Andy was the photographer, using Kathy’s iPhone.
Ed, Kathy, Max and Fred. I won’t say anything about a rose between thorns. More Boat Trips: Sandy and I are going on a trip to Europe in June. We’re visiting friends in Germany and France with a side trip for a couple of nights to Normandy. Then we go to Rome and take a Western Med cruise under an AOG deal. Maybe we’ll see some of you there. Roger Neeland wrote that he and Linda are traveling with Paul and Peggy Belmont “on a river cruise in Europe -- specifically the Viking ‘Grand European Tour’ 15-day cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest starting July 31, 2016. We have traveled with Viking and thoroughly enjoyed it. We are inviting any interested ’64 grads to join us. You can get detailed information at vikingrivercruises.com. Paul will also be recruiting from our DC area colleagues but any are welcome.” I could do Europe two years in a row. Think about it, people! Bill Roberts 9870 E. Golden Currant Drive Tucson, AZ 85748-7897 (520) 342-8002 scribe@usafa1965.org https://usafa-1965.org https://www.facebook.com/ groups/usafa1965
I’ve already got my reservation at the Hilton!) let me know if it’s working. I would prefer to get any messages specifically concerning my activities as Scribe or your contributions to Checkpoints at scribe@usafa1965.org rather than my personal e-mail address bill.roberts@usafa1965.org . “Prestigious” e-mail addresses like the one above at usafa1965.org are available to any classmate on request.
Founders Day in Southern Arizona. On April 12th Bruce Grossetta and his wife, Gail, attended the Southern Arizona Chapter’s Founder’s Day Barbecue at the home of Gregg Montijo ‘81. Bill Cole relates the following: “Y’all, I just saw on the news that Bobbie Hite, one of the remaining Doolittle Raiders has passed away. He suffered with Alzheimer’s. This leaves just two Raiders, Dick Cole, Doolittle’s co-pilot on the Raid, and Dave Thatcher. BTW, the Raiders were finally awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their achievements during World War II. It was to be presented in Washington on April 15th, and on the 18th, Dick Cole will present it to the Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH. Enclosed is a photo that Judy took in 2006 when we went to Ft Worth to meet Dick Cole. He and I are not related, by the way!”
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Since the last issue of Checkpoints, Bruce Wood, the Scribe, passed away on 22 March in Lincoln, NE. We also were notified that Dan Denton, L. D. Harvill and Albert Sage are deceased, but no further details are currently available. A toast... Somehow Tom Browder and Rick Zurbrugg (former Scribe) managed to enroll me as the new Scribe. I hope they know what they’re doing. When you see me at the Reunion in November (You are coming, right?
On a less happy note Ron Murray sends this: “To my 1965 Classmates: my son, Lt. Col Daniel Patrick Murray, USAFA Class of 1992, died on July 20, 2014. He was remembered in the March Checkpoints in Gone But Not Forgotten. “My wife, Rita, and I, our pastor, Jim and Jeri White of The Navigators, family and friends, including Jim (Class of 1963) and Bonnie Lang, conducted memorial services in Texas and Oklahoma to celebrate Danny’s life and journey home to Heaven. “To all of you who responded so kindly to me when I wrote you after learning of Danny’s death in December, THANK YOU. I’m also grateful that Danny had the support of his USAFA classmates during his battle with cancer. Danny and my cadet pictures remind me of our Sabre Society time together and that we are now separated by only Donors one breath -- he was one of my life’s joys, whom I loved deeply. “In addition to those mentioned previously, he is survived by me and an extended Murray and Rogers (his paternal grandmother’s) family including his namesake, Great Uncle Daniel Murray, Uncles Randy Murray and Cameron Murray, Aunts Rhonda Murray and Melanie Murray, and twelve living Murray and Rogers cousins all of whom loved and respected Danny during his youth. These memorial services over the past few weeks were to remind everyone that loved him that even though God doesn’t promise us tomorrow, he does promise us eternity -- filled with life and love we cannot comprehend.” (See photo at the top of the next column.) From Mike Krause: “Barbara and I just got back from Norway and Copenhagen. Our son was on another Northern Lights trip and asked if we would like to meet up with him and his new wife for a Hurtigruten cruise from Bergen to Tromsǿ. We saw a wonderful display for about 5.5 hours on March 17 on board the ship, got baptized by King Neptune for crossing the Arctic Circle, saw a 95% eclipse of the Sun on the 19th and more Northern Lights that night, and did a dog sled ride on Saturday. Sunday we went to Copenhagen for three nights – more to relax and catch a few sights we missed last year. It was a great trip. It would probably make an interesting
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Son Daniel and Ron Murray trip in the summer with the midnight sun. If we did that, we would go on up to Kirkenes. Only complaint was that dinners were pricy for what they served as a fixed menu. Hurtigruten is a totally different cruise (since it is a working ship) than the two Holland America cruises we have taken.” Bill, ‘65 – Best Alive! Ryan Denny 1635 Mary Todd Lane O’Fallon, IL 62269 H: (618) 624-4255 E-mail: ryanden@aol.com
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Greetings Redtags! Even though the very youngest of our classmates has now turned 70 years old, we are still an active, energetic group—with at least a handful of our classmates still flying. One of our most active fliers is Mike Kennedy, who is still performing in airshows with his BT13. There was a great article about Mike in the World Airshow News magazine, which told how his career in aviation started as a teen in the Civil Air Patrol, then USAFA, pilot training, and an Air Force career as a fighter pilot. Mike’s interest in being a demonstration pilot started in 1976 when he bought a Swift Globe to play around in while he was an AOC at the Academy. He took his new toy to Pete Field as a static display to help celebrate the US Bicentennial and was hooked on the airshow business. Two years Sabre Society later he helped form the Swift Magic Team, a precision Donors aerobatic team that wowed crowds in airshows all over the US for the next sixteen years—much of that time while still on active duty. When his partner in that team retired, Mike started looking for a WWII aircraft to fly in airshows that would be unique and entertaining. He decided on the BT13 Valiant (also known as the Vultee Vibrator), because of its maneuverability and the fact that it was such a major part of pilot training for both the Navy and the Army Air Corps in WWII. Although there were 12,000 of these aircraft built, Mike thinks there are only about 100 still in existence, with less than 50 of them still flying. He managed to track down one of these few BT-13s, bought it, and started flying it in airshows in 2007. Mike’s performance includes lots of aerobatics, a generous smoke system, and because of his slower speed, the ability to perform at the 500-foot
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Mike Kennedy on the wing of his BT-13, still looking good in a flight suit.
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line—close to the crowd. The BT-13 engine and prop sound different than any other radial and grab attention when it flies by. Mike says that his maneuvers are “sky filling” right in front of the crowd. Mike flies between ten and fifteen airshows a year and, with an A&P certificate and IA, he serves as his own crew chief and maintenance team. Mike says that he is truly blessed to have a third career and one he really enjoys. He says that he is especially blessed because his wife, Mary, has continued to provide her loving support through three combat tours, three career changes, eighteen moves and a couple of airshow crashes over the last 48 years. Among other classmates still actively flying is Hugh Gommel, who is flying and instructing. Hugh says that he mostly flies a few folks around the Southwest that want to avoid the airlines. He also helps clients find good Cirrus aircraft to purchase and then teaches them how to fly them. In addition, he plans to be an instructor and mentor pilot for the new Cirrus jet, with deliveries starting in late 2015. Ross Detwiler is also still flying. He retired from his multiple- time-zone long-haul Falcon 7X flying job and plans to instruct multi engine pilots. He is also searching hard for a good Baron to play with in his free time. Tip Galer is a First Officer for Netjets, flying domestic Falcon 2000 trips. Hugh says that all three of them truly love flying and have been blessed with careers that were always more of a passion than a job. These three intrepid aviators and several other classmates got together in April at the biannual reunion of the Super Sabre Society in Dayton. They made a special effort to get our classmates there to refresh their memories of their first fighter, to tell some Vietnam War stories, and to see the NMUSAF with its many historical sights and aircraft. Most of the group formed up for the picture below—except for Bob Hoover, who was off looking for his Panama hat (so says Hugh).
Members of the Super Saber Society in front of their aircraft at the Air Force Museum. From left are Al Kontrick, Price Bingham, Tom Brandon, Gary Van Valin, Hugh Gommel, Tip Galer, Ross Detwiler, and Dan Heitz. Another classmate who is still working in aviation is Ron Talcott, who is a simulator instructor for Boeing, teaching customers how to fly the new B-787 Dreamliner. Ron has a type rating in the 787, but the “over 65 rule” has kept him out of the real cockpit. He does own a Cessna 182 that he flies for fun—so that counts as “actively flying”. On a recent business trip to Shanghai, China, Ron and fellow instructor Ralph Bendjebar (’69) were training Chinese pilots in the B-787. They took a day off to visit Zhou Zhuang, often called the “Venice of China” -- a city of canals and canal boats. Ralph is a drone enthusiast and brought one along on this trip. They found a place to fly it overhead a canal lined with Chinese visitors enjoying the Lunar New Year holiday. Everyone seemed fascinated by the drone and no police or security forces appeared or objected (they obviously don’t read the papers about US drones).
Ralph Bendjebar (’69) with his drone and Ron Talcott in China. Last year, Larry Bagley (our class Senator to the AOG) was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Colorado Springs City Council. After a few months in the job, he saw the need to take a more permanent role in the city’s
management and so he ran for a full-time seat on the City Council. Bill Riley reports that “Several ‘Blood that Sticks’ and their spouses helped Larry with this election through donations, walking door to door, by calling the potential voters, and by offering all sorts of good advice on politics and strategy. These included: Bernie and Carolyn Amels, Vic and Sue Andrews, Ron Schillereff, Geoff and Bernie Egge, Wayne and Dee Skora, Sue and Ross Gubser, Barb and Bill Riley, Tom and Judy Guenther, Rick and Nancy Parsons, Dick and Pam Oliver, Hugh and Sandra Gommel, and Sally Koster. Of note is that Hugh Gommel was dedicated enough to make calls for Larry from his residence in Utah. Grads and spouses from several other classes also helped with the campaign. Although this was a Grad Community team effort, Larry’s integrity, experience, dedication, ability to listen and bring consensus, plus his overwhelming positive personality (and good looks) made the election an almost foregone conclusion. District 2 has about 41,000 registered voters and Larry beat his opponent 70% to 30%, a formidable margin.” Thanks for the update, Bill! That’s all the space we have for this time, so until next time… Happy Landings!
Larry Wilson 13100 Pinehurst Ave. NE Albuquerque, NM 87111 H: (505) 291-8949 E-mail: Lwilsn628@aol.com
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Greetings one and all – spring is well established in New Mexico, tho the Wilson’s hibernating turtles have not yet crawled out from their hiding place. That should happen any day now, as Albuquerque temps are reaching 80ish. Unless it does not happen at all… An interesting mix of inputs this quarter – and away we go! First, from Bruce McDonald: “The Colorado 7/67 detachment gathered for dinner at (our) home on a warm February afternoon in Denver. February! Sunny! 70 degrees! The Dark Ages aren’t what they used to be... five couples were able to meet. The McDonalds were back in Colorado for a “home visit” after being on Family TDY for 10 months.
Colorado 7/67 and spouses: Stormy McDonald, Parke & John Holstein, Gayle & Rick Bebee, Muffett & Rick Weizenegger, Alan & Kathie Daines. Photographer Bruce McDonald missed being in the picture but assures us that he still looks as good as ever. Bruce reports they are temporary North Carolinians, where they joined their son Jason and his family… near Duke University Hospital (where Jason is dealing with a medical issue). “(Here’s a plug. Sign up to be an organ donor. Donate life!)… We’re in an apartment close to Jason’s, the grands are happily established in local schools, and we’re there living life every day. Jason has frequent clinic visits to keep tabs on his condition, and daily physical therapy sessions to improve the odds of a successful surgery and recovery when that comes. For the last few months he’s been unusually healthy… We’re all glad of that, and we’re in no hurry. We’ll come back home to Colorado when the time is right.” From Ted McAdam: “Diana and I were on a tour of Sabre Society Donors Israel with Mike Huckabee. Our primary reason for going was a kind of a pilgrimage, to walk where Christ walked and taught. What an experience that was for us from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee and many stops in between. One of our historic stops was at Masada. I had this picture taken on the northern end of the plateau in the ruins of the palace built by King Herod. For anyone who has not been to Israel, I can not encourage you enough to go and see and listen and experience. Life changing for us as Christians and as tourists…”
Ted McAdam at Masada. Rick Chorlins’ remains came home recently. First, from the Shreveport Times: “A pilot whose loss over the skies of Laos more than 45 years ago faded in the fog of the Indochina War (was) finally be laid to rest (last) month…” The full article, featuring an interview with Peyton Cole, is available at http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2015/03/25/ missing-flier-finally-rest/70440108/. From Jim George: “The funeral and memorial at the Air Force Academy for… Rick Chorlins remains… some 45 years after he was shot down in Laos was a moving and appropriate event, as noted in the Colorado Springs newspaper article posted today on the Spad Net. Attending Spad pilots were Dick Diller, Bill Sieg, Gary Koldyke and me (the last two of us were also Rick’s Academy classmates from the Class of ‘67.) (Sorry if I missed any other Spad pilots who were there -- it was a big crowd!) “Dick Diller gave a splendid, moving and appropriate Eulogy during the funeral service to an overflow crowd in the Jewish Chapel. It was truly OUTSTANDING! (Roomie, you did yourself and the Spad community proud!) “There were also somewhere around 25-30 of Rick’s Academy classmates in attendance, plus a lot of spouses, including most of Rick’s classmates from his graduating squadron (the 20th cadet squadron), even including one or two who were in our class but left before graduation. Some traveled great distances (Washington DC; San Antonio; Alabama, etc.) “After a huge procession from the chapel to the cemetery, a most appropriate and fitting service there was led expertly by the Jewish Chaplin included full military honors presided over by a Two-Star -- presentation of Flags, a 21-Gun Salute, Taps, and a “missing man formation” flown by a 4-Ship of F-16 Vipers from the Colorado ANG. There were a whole bunch of “Nickels thrown into the grass” right after we all tossed some dirt onto the casket (which is part of the traditional Jewish ceremony.) “Afterwards, there was a very nice buffet luncheon at the Golf Course clubhouse hosted by Rick’s two sisters, Toby and Cheryl… Dick did some awesome work with Rick’s sisters in explaining the significance of this event to all of us who flew with, fought with, or served with Rick, and was instrumental in coordinating the entire process and making this all happen. Rick’s wife, Nancy, was also in attendance. A bunch of great stories were told! Importantly, Rick’s sisters, who said they did not really know Rick as an adult since he left for the Academy just after High School and never spent much time at home thereafter) were especially appreciative of these fitting insights into the brother they lost. “There was a fitting ramp ceremony… and a ceremonial procession from Denver International accompanied by a police escort, a number of Patriot Guard Riders, and some classmates who drove to Denver and coordinated a rejoin with the funeral procession. (BTW, the Patriot Guard riders also showed up at the funeral service to honor Rick. Jack Fry (a classmate and fighter pilot) and I shook hands with and spoke to each
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From Arch Archibald: a photograph taken by Sue Mulcahy of the firefighters honoring Rick as the procession passed beneath the overpasses.
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of them as they stood outside the Academy Chapel, each holding a staff with a full-size American Flag. What a great bunch of guys, and what an outstanding tribute!!) Enroute from Denver, Dick said the highway patrol did an amazing job of “leap-frogging” ahead to block each exit so the procession would be unimpeded. Further, on many of the overpasses there were local fire trucks, police, and American flags to honor Rick’s return. Sierra Hotel! Kudos to Janet Edwards, the consummate professional who coordinates all funeral services and burials for Grads at USAFA. She is amazing! For those of us whose ‘Final Destination’ is the Academy Cemetery, we are in good hands!” Lastly, from Bob Muldrow, some comments on a change being considered at USAFA: winding down the intramural program. Bob received from feedback from “…several of you who thought the intramural program was one of the highlights of their four-year experience here. So many of you lettered in high school, maybe even achieved state or city honors, but you were not collegiate material. You still loved the thrill of athletic competition and very much appreciated having a chance to further your athletic careers even on a level not quite up to varsity standards. As you know, Gen MacArthur thought highly of the Fields of Friendly Strife.” Dunno where that is going. More to follow, no doubt. And with that – my allotment of words has been expended. The very best wishes to each of you. God bless the troops, and God bless the United States of America. Tim Davidson 9712 Hidden Valley Road Vienna, VA 22181-6094 Phone: (703) 255-5313 Mobile: (703) 772-6052 E-mail: timdav1968@verizon.net Class Website: www.usafa68.org
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HELLO ’68! The “silly season” is gaining momentum in our nation’s capital as candidates for our 45th President extol their virtues and give us glimpses of reformulated plans and programs to improve our lives. Can months of political TV commercials and “robo-calls” be far behind? I can hardly wait! NOT! DARK AGES PARTY: Carl and Debbie Janssen and Garry and Tina Dudley co-hosted another successful Dark Ages party at Chez Janssen in March that had to be postponed from its original date in February due to a Colorado blizzard. Carl said that a great time was had by all as topics from the Academy’s victorious 2014 football season to women boxing at the Wing Open were discussed. Kudos to the Janssens and Dudleys for continuing this very special ’68 Dark Ages tradition.
cuts have had a deleterious effect on our alma mater and your financial assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this request.
24th Squadron Legacy Recognition for the Class of 2018. LEGACY CLASS RECOGNITION INITIATIVE: During the summer of 2014, Don Sutton floated the idea among his doolie squadron classmates from 24th Squadron about being involved with the Class of 2018’s recognition as part of ’68’s Legacy Class activities. Everyone was in full support! Their rationale was that recognition was, and should continue to be, one of the major milestones of “cadethood” and should be on the list of legacy events along with the existing ones such as the Acceptance Day parade. Since recognition is very squadron specific, the 24th Squadron alums wanted to have a direct linkage between the doolies of 1968 and 2018. Garry Dudley, Sabre Society our class Senator, was extremely helpful in pointing Donors them in the right direction and Megan Nash of the AOG helped with internal coordination. In addition to their presence at recognition, they commissioned a commemorative coin to give to each 4th classman in CS24. The attendees were Bert Bauer, Bruce Buono, George Kramer, Rich Moran, Neal Starkey, and Don Sutton. While many others desired to be there, for various reasons they could not. The initiative resulted in a very direct interaction with some 20 members of the Class of 2018 and some of the CS24 upper classmen. As Don opined, “I think they liked it! We tried to tie our history with their future and, hopefully, we made an impact. It was fun for all of us who participated. In addition, we had a great time reconnecting with one another and spending a little quality time together. The AOC (LTC Cook) thought everything went well and that the entire squadron really appreciated us taking part in the event.” A full account of this effort with photos may be found at our class website under Legacy Class: “24th Cadet Squadron’s Recognition Day.”
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Navigators come home. Diane and Geoff Gorsuch. ’68ers at 2015 Dark Ages Party. From left are Mike Parkinson, Don Caughlin, Gene Rose, Dave Allen, Dan Hites, Gary Hoffman, Carl Janssen, Steve Staley, Bill Woods, Barney Mills, Garry Dudley, Dale Oderman, Rock Buraglio, Doug Wilson, Steve McPhail, Vince Rusinak, and Chuck Jones. Not pictured: Neal Starkey, Charlie Holland, and Geo Roberts. GIVING BACK: For our 45th reunion, under Neal Starkey’s leadership, our class participated in a giving campaign to USAFA activities of our choosing. During the banquet, Steve McPhail and his compatriots from 20th Squadron challenged the rest of us to make a greater effort toward this end by becoming Sabre Society donors -- a gift of at least $1,000 per year. Following this challenge, our class placed first among all graduating classes with a total of 70 Sabre Society members. In the March 2015 edition of Checkpoints, our Class News column shows that our number is now down to 54 members. Recognizing that finances are a very personal matter, I simply ask that you make an honest assessment of what USAFA has meant to the quality of your life and to see whether it would be possible to put an additional $83.34 per month on your credit card to reach the Sabre Society giving level. Sequestration and Defense Budget
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After getting in touch with Geoff Gorsuch last Christmas, he sent the following letter in reply. “This year for us was more or less dealing with the realities of a stage 4 bone cancer. By God’s grace, Diane has done well with it for over a year. But since November tumors came back with a vengeance in the brain and spine and 2 weeks of intense radiation left her without hair and energy… but not without hope. Though our faith struggles at times for the most part we are encouraging each other to face it and get on with life. So we take it day by day. There may be some intense chemo in the year ahead… or she may decide that she has had enough. After all, we do have The Answer and heaven at some point will seem like a better option. In any case, we are going to enjoy Christmas and wait for the arrival of our two daughters in January to help mom and dad decide what the next steps should be. In spite of it all, the ministry progresses through the men that have been closest to me here in Southeast Asia for the last ten years. They have traveled with me throughout the region as I have had the privilege of mentoring them in life and ministry. So, when Diane’s health began to fail, they were ready to step up and lift the ministry load from me so that I could be more available to her. And, they have done well! The
feedback from the region on their performance has been very rewarding for Diane and me. Our spiritual sons and daughters are now doing the job and we will stay out here to continue to coach and counsel them as long as the Lord allows. We request prayer for wisdom as we do that… and for the specific decisions we need to make with respect to Diane’s health. May His will be done!” Geoff’s new address is: 4908 Persistence Lane, Redding, CA 96002. E-mails are: Geoff@lifecoach.org and Diane Gorsuch@hotmail.com. 2015 EAST COAST REUNION: The East Coast Reunion is scheduled for 6 June at Ed and Karen Eberhart’s home in Arlington, VA with a start time of 7 PM. If you need a place to stay to attend the reunion, please contact me so I can help in coordinating classmate lodging for you. THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS: Prayers and apologies to Charles Price for mistakenly reporting the loss of his son Ethan. Ethan is fine, married, and working in Mobile, AL. His older son, Ryan, died in 2014. Prayers to Marty Cole and Tom Dreier battling Parkinson’s disease. Prayer of thanks for Debbie Janssen completing her radiation treatments and prayers for her continued healing. Prayers for Diane Gorsuch in her fight with bone cancer. THAT’S A WRAP: Mind the flak; keep ’em flying, and keep those cards, letters, e-mails, and photos coming in to Pat Russell and me. Photos of 2014 UPT reunions may be found on the class website under Bulletins. Ciao for now. Tim
Lindsey Parris 616 King’s Cloister Circle Alexandria, VA 22302 Home: (703) 836-3604 102177.1033@compuserve.com
proof of this trip exists, but am having its veracity verified before publishing because it depicts an otherwise rare event—Buck and Craig studying during evening hours. Buck plans to return for more work because, even with Dennis as enforcer, his command of Spanish was not sufficient to convert a single “Tico” to the paleo diet. Wait’ll next year, Ticos! Also yet further south of the border, Dennis again, this time on the Amazon River for a week stalking the elusive peacock bass and creating other adventures with Dave Yost. Dave says Dennis caught a lot of fish, including the beauty in the picture, and that Yostie caught a few. Neither caught any exotic tropical diseases, at least any that have manifested yet.
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Greetings ’69ers Time marches along, and with it some unavoidable delays in the completion of the new CCLD and within it the Cadet Honor Board Room, built with the generous funding of our Class Gift. Do not expect an August christening. More words via e-mail will be forthcoming as more is known to keep you as informed as possible for those who might want to attend. Thanks to an interesting question from Steve Cherry, and some nifty work from our-guy-on-the-AOG, Gary Howe, we now know the median birthdate among our ’69er Classmates. No surprise is that it is very near the birthday of our pal Nino Balducci, falling just two days after Nino’s, on April 3, 1947; so the “Class” turns “69” next April 3. Those of you born after that date can now feel even younger! Those of you with birthdays on that date, if any, be amazed that such a genre of question from the inimitable Mr. Cherry did Sabre Society not include mentions of modes and means and hetDonors eroskedasticity as well as median. Happy birthday all, wherever you fall on the birthday continuum. From Europe comes word that our Ambassador to NATO, Bob Bell, was recently at Leeuarden Air Base, Netherlands, in his official capacity to meet with the F-15 squadron from the Florida Air Guard. His “mission” there was to meet and thank these “weekend warriors” for coming to Europe to reassure European publics of America’s commitment to them under NATO’s Article 5 and to underscore for these airmen the importance of the message their presence sends to adventurers who might contemplate messing around in the Baltics. Salute, Bob.
Dennis Ryll with an Amazonian Peacock Bass. Long in the Checkpoints queue has been a terrific update from Bob Toth on himself and on Mike Gabor. A couple years back, Bob and Joyce visited Mike and Helen in Australia, where Mike has settled after many adventures that could be in a book, including a stint on Wall Street (as one of the wolves). Now in Port Douglas (Far North Queensland, on the Coral Sea) Mike owns a radio station (Radio 107 1 FM 90.8 with website www. radioportdouglas.com) which offers political updates (apparently from the left side of the aisle, according to Bob) and easy listening music for the over-30 group (that’s us!) on both sides of the aisle. Bob is now retired fully, but had a bucket-list’s worth of interesting experiences in his career, in and out of uniform. Lots of time as a Las Vegas computer guy but “not at Nellis”, a multinational stint in Europe and some time at Randolph. Post-blue-suit days found him back in Vegas, with JT3 LLC, where he spent another 20 years “not at Nellis” as contractor and program manager. After this, among other endeavors, he landed a job many of us would jump at—working at the Cascada golf track near Vegas and playing for free! This is a real getaway course, and only a less-than100% hip and vertebrae prompted Bob to forgo the pleasure.
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Bob and Joyce with Mike and Helen in Port Douglas, Australia. In February, Jim Kula visited the Maine Military Museum (in Portland, ME) where he donated some Vietnam POW artifacts to the museum. The museum boasts one of the largest displays of Vietnam POW items in the United States, with actual POW uniforms, photographs, and art work, as well as artifacts made in prison and then smuggled out at release, such as a Chinese lock and chain used to hold a prisoner in his cage, secret writings on toilet paper and cigarette wrappers, and much more. Jim is pictured with Lee Humiston, the museum’s curator. .
Ambassador Bob Bell in his official capacity at Leeuarden Air Base. In the South of the Border Department, Los Senores Estimables Dennis Ryll, Craig Collins, and John Buckner spent two weeks in Costa Rica working on their conversational Spanish, living “La Pura Vida,” and sampling the local cerveza, Imperial, among other indigenous treats. Photo
JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY! YOUR MONEY HELPS FUND CADET WING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED. CALL (719) 472-0300 X200. 117
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Jim Kula with Maine Military Museum curator Lee Humiston. In the small world department, Guy and Linda Gardner drove up from Fredericksburg, VA, where they now reside, to attend National Community Church services in Gainesville, VA. Going in, they met a nice couple, Bill and Marilyn, from Centerville, VA, who were just visiting since the heater at their Vienna church was kaput. After the service, Guy went over to bid them farewell as they were departing, and Marilyn asked Guy for his name again. When Guy repeated his name, Bill looked at Guy quizzically and expected the usual question about the Green Lantern comic book character. And so, Guy was surprised when the question was whether he had attended USAFA, and Bill and Marilyn were none other than the Millers! Bill and Guy learned they each had been married on the same day in late December in different cities but both blizzard-afflicted, so turnout light; had both flown F-4s; and Marilyn and Linda had both taught elementary school. Paths crossing after 45 years, and not a beat missed. ’69ers are everywhere! Take good care ‘til next time. Salute, Lindsey.
Dick Rauschkolb 130 Luxury Lane Colorado Springs, CO 80921 H: (719) 761-5764 Cell: (719) 310-6928 Email: AOG70@comcast.net
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Greetings Classmates! By the time you read this, the 45th Anniversary of our graduation will have passed. Hope all of you remembered that day and those classmates who are no longer with us. We aren’t getting any younger men; hope all of you will make it to the Reunion in November. Last Friday (24 April) was a memorable and emotional day. The Academy and AOG honored graduates who were POWs during the war in Southeast Asia. 19 of the 33 graduates who endured the unimaginable experience of being a POW attended the ceremony at DooSabre Society little Hall. It was an honor to be in the presence of these Donors remarkable men especially our classmates who were POWs—Jack Trimble and Bill Reich. The centerpiece of the ceremony was the dedication of a magnificent sculpture of a POW at OUR Southeast Memorial Pavilion. The POWs and their families thanked us profusely for building the Pavilion. As we gear up for our Reunion, I hope the Class of 1970 will step up
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Seventy Men Honor POW Classmates. From left are Larry Bush, Mike Lambert, The Phantom, Jack Trimble, Bill Reich, Tooey Emery, and Mike Torreano.
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and donate to our last major gift—The Plaza of Heroes—which will honor graduates who earned the AF Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Purple Heart. Some funds will also be used to duplicate the SEA map and touch screens in the cadet area—thus exposing cadets to their heritage daily. We also want to redo the War Memorial on the Heritage Trail—our Class gift at our 35th Reunion. There are a lot of errors that need to be corrected. Thirty-percent of the class has donated—and we thank them sincerely. But now is the time to get the rest of the class to step up so we can reach our goal. See the article in the box about Paul Rosetti’s generous matching gift! Reunion info is up on the AOG web site. Should be a great time—hope all of you can attend! Am planning The Plaza of Heroes Golf Tournament—and starting to say prayers for decent weather. Info is on AOG web site. Will be a different format—I can hear the whining now! If you have complaints—and some of you will—I will have a chaplain present at signin so you can tell someone who cares. Only kidding! Chris Dunbar is our new class senator. Many thanks to Tooey Emery for serving the last several years. Our class senator is your link to the AOG Board if you have questions or complaints. Mike and Ann Torreano spent some time in Cabo and made numerous trips to Arizona to avoid the cold spring here in Colorado. I heard that Mike and Chuck Weir teed it up a few times in Phoenix. I guess Mike needed some easy money to help pay for his trip. Gary and Sharon Dahlen vacationed in Maui for two months. Tooey and Carol Emery visited family in France. Wild Bill Stealey and Jim Bechtel took in a Phillies game in Clearwater, FL. Bill Jump was in Europe for a vacation. Al Wurglitz sent me an email praising Jim for doing some work that helped many of our Vets. Way to go Jim! Henry Mitchell and C. J. Bohn worked the Skiing World Championships at Beaver Creek. Craig Northrup and Willie Schepens were volunteers tax preparers for AARP in O’Fallon, IL. Ken Greene is playing way too much golf. Then again, maybe Patty is glad to have him out of the house. Seems Ken won both the senior stroke and match play tournaments at his course in Texas. Way to go Ken—you are in line to catch Wild Bill Stealey for senior golf tournament wins—but you have a long way to go. Greg Gilles and I won a few coins in a recent tournament—but gagged down the stretch and missed the big money by one stroke. The rumor that may have started as a result of my last article is not true. Howie Robson and Rob Robison did not switch wives! Seems your scribe made a major SNAFU! Apologies to Howie and Gwen and Rob and Pam—these are the correct matchups! Yikes! Chuck Weir is building a new home in Scottsdale. Hope it is big enough for some Colorado guests who want to spend a few months away from the Colorado winter. Dave and Elaine Dewitt celebrated an anniversary recently. Dana and Linda Arbaugh have visited 24 of 59 National Parks. Oker O’Connor retired from the Office of National Drug Control Policy after 15 years. His ceremony was held in the office of the Secretary of War in the
Old EOB in DC. Good friends George Keys and Wood Woodhead attended the ceremony. Monica and Oker plan to settle down in Norfolk. Many of our classmates in DC celebrated Founders Day at a luncheon.
Seventy Men and Spouses Celebrate Founders Day. Back row: Angus MacDonald, Mick Rosenblatt, Dave Sterling, Doug Carlson, Tim Carey, Randy Royce and Darryl Lundgren. Front Row: Gail MacDonald, Donna Rosenblatt, Susan Carlson, Cathy Carey, Robbie Royce, and Cathy Lundgren. I got a nice email from Mark Bean praising Coach Bob Spear who was recently inducted into the Academy Athletic Hall of Fame. Coach Spear was a real gentleman and admired by our basketball playing classmates— Gregg Popovich, Jim Cooper, Mike Kelley, Joe Burke, and of course Bert Spear. Apologies if I left someone out. Went to the Wing Open in February. Historic evening as women fought for the first time. Their fights were great. Seems like some CS-15 boxers got together to remember the good old days. Doug Norton, Speedy Martin, George Keys and Wood Woodhead all boxed for the War Eagles their senior year—as well as Mike “The Phantom” Huber. I always admired these men for stepping up to box firstie year. I took in several spring football practices. I think the Falcons will have a very good team next year. Except maybe for Michigan State, there aren’t any games we don’t have a chance to win. We get Michigan State early in the season, so don’t rule out a major upset. I think we will at least match our great 10-3 season last year. Hope some of you saw Popo getting his NBA Championship Trophy at the White House. Mike Kelley and Popo had dinner in DC. Popo said he did some Public Service Announcements with “FLOTUS”. Mike wondered, as did I, who the heck FLOTUS was. Pop responded with, “First Lady of the United States!” Good one! Several classmates have seen Pop and the Spurs play. Jan and Mick Davey flew to Orlando and saw them win with Critt and Andrea Hughes and John and Janet Rankin. The folks in the photo and John Jernigan gathered in San Antonio for another win.
Classmates Enjoy Victory with Coach Pop. From left are Jennie Lambert, Mike Lambert, Dave Sterling, Al Swaim, Popo, and Jane Swaim. On the health front, Dusty Swanson is finally home after enduring daily visits to the Doc for over three months while living temporarily in Nashville. On the “you gotta be kidding” me front—Rose Ann is having major problems with a detached retina. We broke ground on the Plaza of Heroes on 15 May! Your Class Gift Committee is betting the Class will contribute towards the $170K needed to complete the project. LET’S FINISH IT!
Visit the AOG Web Site. Gone But Not Forgotten, Merchandise and more! www.usafa.org
Paul D. Knott 5565 Lantana Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80915 H: (719) 570-9162 E-mail: pk71knott@gmail.com
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As the “Dark Ages” fade into the rear-view mirror, we anticipate the warm weather to come, including Cass Casada’s “Second to None” golf tournament this summer. ” The second annual “Second to None!” golf scrambles tournament is set for Tuesday, June 9, at the Golf Club at Bear Dance in Larkspur, CO. The format this year will be very similar to last year, with the intent to make it a fun event for all, not just for serious golfers. “From the feedback received last year, most recommendations were to get more people participating, so I am inviting everybody who played last year to come back, and each bring another guest to join us! And for those who didn’t play in 2014, we hope that you can make it this year, and that you also bring additional alumni, family and friends of the Air Force Academy to participate! “The more people that play, the more fun we will have, and the more money we will be able to use for prizes. Like last year, we plan to give team awards for first, second, and last place teams, plus individual men’s closest to pin and longest drive. With enough Sabre Society participation, we may be able to add a ladies closest to Donors the pin award, and also a third place team award. “Please note that we will have a luncheon at the Bear Dance clubhouse to present the awards, and the cost for the buffet is $20 per person. After the luncheon, everyone is invited for drinks and desserts over at the home of Laura and Cass Casada, which is just half a mile away. “We also have several tee times reserved for us again this year at the Air Force Academy’s Eisenhower Golf Course on Monday, June 8, for those who wish to make this a two-day event. “We are trying to coordinate some kind of social get-together for Monday evening after golf, somewhere in the USAFA or Colorado Springs vicinity. There are no specific plans yet, so we are open to suggestions. Possibly we might just hang out at the Eisenhower clubhouse, Doolittle Hall, or some other establishment around there. Please let me know what you might like to do. For more information, contact AFA71mini@ gmail.com.” Lance Miller didn’t get enough votes to join the AOG Board of Directors; thank you to Lance for applying and thanks to those who voted for him. Andy Ceroni’s newest thriller is out, and it’s a doozy. Imagine a mix of murder mystery and international conspiracy. Darryl Wimberley’s effort is a refreshing of the story of Paul Bunyan; look for it starting in May. Andy’s book is available in bookstores and on Amazon. Andy Garrison has updated me with his first post. “I spent the last 30 years or so self-employed for the most part, successfully for the most part, and pretty happy (for the most part!). During that time, many assignments had me living or working overseas. Single, one daughter (just accepted into the Coast Guard and should [have been] sworn in by about April 11). “On April 13, 2015, I report to the Peace Corps for a posting in Namibia (Africa) in Community and Economic Development for a minimum of 27 months. THAT should be interesting!” “The blog site WITWIA.COM (Where In The World Is Andy?) will be up and running by the time this is published. (At the moment, it’s “parked” on GoDaddy, but will be on WordPress, soon.) Lots of pictures of sub-Saharan Africa and writings on cultural and other issues as they come up on this interesting assignment! I’d love to hear from classmates or other interested AOG members.” If I’m not mistaken, Andy will be the first Peace Corps member from our class. And at our ages, too! GBA
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Bob Bell 13 Pacific Ave. Sinking Spring, PA 19608 Cell:302-399-3240 E-mail: reservist777@yahoo.com
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(40 Sabre Society Donors) (Editor’s Note: We did not receive a column from Bob for this issue. Please send your information and photos to him for the next issue.)
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News Mike Arnett 5285 Copper Drive Colorado springs, CO 80918 (719) 310-8100 jmikearnett@gmail.com Class.Scribe@R-NetServices.com
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Greetings, fellow members of the Illustrious Class of 1973! Thanks for all the inputs—I’m having to condense. The full stories will be on the class website at usafa73.org. As I’ve already sent out an email blast about NCLS from Class President Ron Scott, I’ll omit a recap, other than to say it was another outstanding symposium with over 35 classmates and wives in attendance. If you didn’t get the email, let me know at ClassScribe@RNetServices.com. Several long-lost classmates popped up on radar in the past couple of months: Ken Vargas, CS-27: wife, Hermila, and their three kids are in Calgary, Canada, where he has his own petroleum engineering company, Falcon EDF Ltd. His son Erwin is a ’99 grad and married an ’02 grad. Leo Aguinaldo, CS-19: retired from the State of California in 2005 and moved to Laramie, WY last April after their son got accepted at the University of Wyoming. The idea is that it should be cheaper to have one household instead of two. No state income tax and low property taxes were also inducements to move. Leo said he hired someone to do some work that needed to be done at the new house so he wouldn’t have to “take a break from retirement.” Gary Niskala, CS-25: reported in from Atlanta with his first update since graduation. After being medically Sabre Society Donors disqualified for flying in 1973, he parlayed his pre-med major into becoming an Air Force physiologist, retiring from the Reserves in 1998. He left active duty in 1978 and used his GI Bill benefits to get his flying credentials on his own. He got on with Northwest in 1986, and retired from Northwest/Delta in May 2014. He is now an instructor pilot in Atlanta, where he and wife, Reenie, are finally setting up permanent residence. You can check out his picture at usafa73.org. I discovered a friend of mine here in the Springs. Lynn Allan, started with us in 24th Squdron, but after a semester decided he wasn’t cut out for the military. If anyone would like to contact him, let me know. “T” Thompson (24th and 29th squadrons) was selected by Acquisition International, “The Voice of Corporate Finance,” as one of AI’s “2015’s Most Innovative Business Leaders” for his work as the President and CEO of the AOG. The article is at https://s3.amazonaws.com/znews-2015april/new/AIMagazine.pdf. Congratulations, “T”! Jay Jabour, CS-07, is now President of Wright “B” Flyer, Inc., an all-volunteer 501(c)3 in Dayton, Ohio that flies a 1911 Wright B Model airplane, giving people rides that replicate what the Wright Brothers felt in 1911 flying the FIRST military airplane of the USA. Paul Taylor, CS-32, is still practicing real estate law in Mount Vernon, WA. Says he’ll retire in a few years after his daughter completes grad school. Paul and squadron mate Bill Drury watched the Seahawks’ “heartbreaking” Super Bowl loss at Bill’s home on Bainbridge Island, and he gets together with Jim Scully (CS-11) regularly for golf. If you’re going to be in the Seattle area, Paul’s issued an open invitation to stay with him. I have contact info. Todd Lavigne, CS-3, and wife, Diana, have moved back home to Huntsville, AL, from Cairo, Egypt. He’s enjoying the “Opa” (grandpa in German) life. You can read about his and Diana’s time in Germany and Egypt at usafa73.org.
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Todd and Diana Lavigne at the Roemer Fest in Piesport, Germany.
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Ken Bonn (CS-06) reported that Craig McPherson (CS-39) is ramrodding the Granite State Chapter of the AOG and did an awesome job with the Granite State Founders Day Dinner. Craig and several other Campus Radicals (CS-39ers) made quite a good showing at this year’s NCLS.
Campus Radicals Mark Romain, Kelly McCullar, Dale Birch, Paul Motley, Al Mauer and Craig MacPherson at the ’73 Class Dinner on Friday of the 2015 NCLS. Mike Griffith, CS-25, sent in a picture of his recent dive to the “Christ of the Abyss” statue in John Pennekamp Park off Key Largo, FL. You can see the pic at usafa73.org. He has several other dives planned this summer. Rick West, CS-20, is doing his part to extend the Long Blue Line and the West family connections with Delta Airlines. His son, Clay, graduated with the Class of 2015 on 28 May. Rick’s nephew, Justin, Class of 2003, is flying C-17s for the Reserves at Altus and joined the Delta family in March, 35 years almost to the day after Rick began his airline career. Rick and Justin will both be wearing the Delta Airlines uniform for at least the next year. Denny Boyce, CS-25, reported he’s still flying A-330s for USAirways (now American Airlines) with 379 days till retirement, “but who’s counting?” He is still volunteering with Boy Scouts and got his 40-year service pin a couple of years ago. Denny and Debi celebrated their 40th anniversary last year in Uganda with their older son, Ross, and his wife. He’s planning a trip in May to see the Air Force Museum and his old roomie, Jack Hudson, the museum director. There’s more from Denny at usafa73.org. Charlie Clatterbaugh (CS-32) reported in from Huntersville, NC that he and Sharon are doing great, traveling a lot and spending time with their four grandchildren. They’ll be cruising the Med—Rome, Monte Carlo, the French Riviera—Jun 16-23 with Oceana Cruises. Charlie sent in a picture of Mike Hub taken by Rich Hayes (both CS-31) at the Academies Golf Tournament in Charleston, SC in April. It’s at usafa73.org. We must be at that age... Dan Handlin (CS-28) noted that his wife, Nance, is hosting a retirement roast for him at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Embassy Suites next Feb 27th. He’ll be retiring from Delta (Northwest) after 50 years of flying (that’s ages 15-65, not 50 years with NWA). And more American Airlines talk: Steve Savell (CS-14) reported his old roommate John Harr, Craig Lady (CS-16), and Bob Eames (CS-17) are all on A330s out of Philly, and Dave Mullins (CS-14) is based in Charlotte. Bill Diffley (CS-11) was also with American out of Philly, but has retired to Monument, CO and is looking forward to fly fishing season. After being recalled to active flight status with American late last year, Mike Nishimuta (CS-40) found out just a couple of months ago that he had cancer of the pancreas and liver. Sadly, Mike succumbed on 6 May 15. As Bob Munson noted, Mike deserved much credit for the success of our class in the past 20 years. His GBNF tribute covers that in more detail, though it did not make it in this Checkpoints due to the proximity to the publishing deadline. .
Mike Nishimuta, Jack Christensen and Don McMillan (all CS-40) preparing to drive Mike from Dallas to Colorado, April 2015.
Lt Col (Ret) Sabine “Meach” Meachem (CS-17) passed away on 11 Mar 2015 in Winter Park, FL after a battle with brain cancer. Services are pending at USAFA, date TBD. Meach’s brother James suggested donations be sent in lieu of flowers to the NCLS via the USAFA Endowment. I have contact info. Until next time, “Here’s a toast… to the host… of the men we boast… the U.S. Air Force!” Mike Arnett.
Joe Brezovic 228 Senior Circle Lompoc, CA 93437 (832) 285-4179 launchops74@gmail.com
just received from a retired general. The picture below is from the French Exchange Semester in 1973. This photo was taken at the French air base outside Strasbourg where we each received an orientation flight on the Mirage IIIB reconnaissance fighter jet. Dave sent in another picture from these archives and it may be in a later issue!
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Greetings Classmates. I reckon by now, y’all, too, have weeds… or other challenges to involve you on weekends. Some of us have set those aside to plan on selected priorities. Here’s this edition. Tony Brozena sent updates, medical related. Earlier this year, Tony was in Aspen Snowmass, skiing with disabled Vets. This was his fifth year with the program; rewarding as ever. The National Disabled Veterans’ Winter Sports Clinic is a week-long program sponsored by DAV and the VA in Snowmass, CO and involves upwards of 350 Vets and an equal number of staff and instructors from across the country and Canada.
Tony steering! Here is Tony putting on the brakes and steering Butch, a blind skier. The mask in the back is Tony’s protection! The oral surgeon who wired his jaw shut for two months suggested Tony consider NOT skiing this year (and he is an avid skier, no doubt with a home in Taos)! That same day his Aspen airline reservations and condo assignments arrived; that’s when Tony went on-line and found the full-face ski helmet seen here. Rewind for the story: On 15 January Tony was on Kirtland, at his former workplace, DMOC, when Tony Brozena passed out and face-planted on the ceramic tile floor. Long story short, his heart had stopped. As he retells, “They installed a pacemaker the next morning and I was released later that afternoon! The next day Sabre Society my oral surgeon wired my mouth closed to encourage Donors the jaw fracture to heal. Green chile stew through a squeeze tube isn’t quite the same. And I think we came close to burning up the blender, it got so much use! (At my last check up, they dialed back the voltages on my pacemaker and gave me another 14.5 years to go until I need to have it replaced.)” Tony recalled prior fun times of yesteryears at the Winter Sports Clinic, part of John Denver’s former band would come up and entertain the downhill ski instructors one night during the week we were there. He was fortunate enough to sit in with them for a few songs. Ed Loskill had some time to write a note. He seemed surprised that he is 63… and counting towards 65. At that date, Ed plans to depart the cockpit at Delta Airlines. That has been an interesting ride… much better now that 5 or 6 years ago! He is still living in Lubbock, TX. He never thought he’d end up there. He thought that after Pilot Training & Instructing, he was done with West Texas. But after retiring from the USAF, he and his family elected to move to Lubbock for a while. Kathryn’s family is there and Ed could commute to an airline job, with the idea they’d move to Dallas or Atlanta later. However, when that time came, they had grandbabies in Lubbock… so there’s where they stayed. [Yep. Being close to grandkids brings lots of points to one side of the decision chart!] Dave Daley, another great source of class news, sent in an update he
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1973 Cadets in France. From left are the Americans Bruce McLane, Rod Crist, Major Austin Wedemeyer ‘62 (USAFA Foreign Language Dept), Jack Long, David Daley, and Paul Guzowski. Charlie Bryant caught a picture of Leadership leaders. Actually, his wife, Barb, took the picture and he passed it on. It was at the 2015 National Character and Leadership Symposium. Our class, Class of 1974, sponsors the Malham M. Wakin Character Award.
Leadership Reps at Symposium. From left are Rob Lowrey, Charlie Bryant, Mark Hyatt, Brig General Wakin, and Paul Sherry. This past April, the 31st Space Symposium was held at the Broadmoor. Ron Sega was there. I saw him working a few representatives and tables in the Colorado Space Coalition area. He seems to be a strong, facilitating force to build a strong Space Development area in this Front Range. Sal Alfano is another classmate still working in the Colorado Springs Space arena as a senior research astrodynamicist. Sal and Michele live in Monument. We met briefly, not all at once, and then we all disappeared into the throngs of Space planners, thinkers, doers, and dreamers. I met only these two classmates -- I had expected to see more. I did see another space sojourner, Don McMonagle, in Santa Maria, CA. We spoke briefly on his way out of shopping at a business set-up office. I spotted him with some articles to set up Raytheon offices in Vandenberg AFB. As for classmates getting together: I met a ’72 USAFA grad (Gary Grant CS-05) at the Kirtland AFB, NM, base gym. He said two of the USAFA grads are working to get an Albuquerque, NM AOG Chapter started. There are many grads living in the area, working or retired. Would you classmates and USAFA consider meeting together for friendship, support, self and community development? There are about 18 Class of ’74 living in New Mexico. The Houston (Texas) AOG Chapter is the only one I had participated in so far… and enjoyed it. The Houston Chapter includes graduates from all the academies. I acknowledge another AOG Chapter that our 74 CS-12 AOC had started in the Twin Cities area for about 365 grads and has received a Distinguished Chapter recognition for their work. Other remarks from our going between family and friends: for eating around Albuquerque there’s Sadie’s on 4th NW or El Pinto further down. In Ohio, outside of Plain City (near Columbus) try the Dutchman, an Amish restaurant. If in Taos, NM, there’s the Taos Mesa Brewing micro-brewery off of US64 (El Prado, NM) close to the road to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Richard and Nanci Bates are in Castle Pines, CO. Larry (retired pilot) and Cathy Baker live in Cincinnati. Mike “Nash” and Maggie Carter live in Lakeland, FL. Nash serves as an Oracle VP for advanced customer support. Dave and Patti Hegland live in Chestertown, MD. Dave has a
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handmade glass showcase-sculpture type of business going with beautiful works of art. Jim and Becky Horacek live in San Antonio. Richard and Diana Wright live in Plano, TX. Rick is the CEO of Enlyten Intel. As for other classmate news, I have a two more notes with pictures. We are only permitted three, and the notes are better with the pictures attached. So please tune in next time. We’d like to know about you… write when you can. May you each live long and prosper.
Jeff Chappell 14729 Birken St. Herriman, UT 84096 (210) 488-6137 jtmjbda@sbcglobal.net
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The Good: Hopefully most of you know about our 40-year reunion coming up, 8-10 October 2015. The planning committee, headed by Jeff Hackett, is working hard and has a good core of guys, but is still seeking volunteers for class gift/fundraising, banquet entertainment, registration/security, widows/surviving children coordination, prep school grad event, and non-graduate classmate coordination. Stay tuned to AOG and your squadron reps for updates. The Bad (but getting better): Bruce Fritzsche forwarded the following note from Jack Barton’s daughter, Shannon: Monday morning (2 March) my mom found my dad unresponsive. They took him to Olive Branch Methodist. The CT scan showed no sign of stroke but given his symptoms they called the Brain Attack Team. He was airlifted to Methodist University, where they discovered he did have a stroke, with a clot in his basilar artery. The doctor removed the clot, restoring blood flow to his brain. He is very, very lucky because from what we hear many people don’t make it through a stroke like this. Please continue to pray for our daddy... he needs it right now. Sabre Society God has a special plan for him! He continues to show Donors great signs of improvement. Moving both arms and legs. Speaks very faint and is hard to understand. They are worried about his vision and speech. We are all in shock and still can’t believe this has happened to someone so healthy and active! Update Apr 20: Dad has been home for almost two weeks now. He is definitely happier at home. We are all settling in to the new schedule. He goes to therapy at the Olive Branch hospital 3 times a week, and then on Thursdays they go downtown for eye therapy. He had a great visit with his sister this week, and an old Air Force Academy friend, Frank, has stopped by several times while he’s been in town training. He still is wearing the heart monitor – he has about 2 more weeks with it. After a full month they send it back and make an appointment to get the results. He hasn’t complained of any new symptoms so hopefully this is a good sign. Gary Held’���������������������������������� s former wife Kathy notified Bill Estelle that Gary had a heart attack a few weeks ago. After a week, he stabilized and went in for a bypass and valve replacement. Valve replacement was a success; they opted not to do the bypass. He has been improving slowly. He had a pacemaker put in and may be released from the hospital within the week. Rumors of Bill Lyerly’s demise are greatly exaggerated: Bill sounded great on the phone; has lost 50 pounds, retired from his high-powered DHS job, and is progressing well with cardiac rehabilitation. “Cowboy Awtrey, John Charlton, Al Bready, and Hugo Posey have stopped by my house here in Annapolis to help maintain my morale (maybe I also owed them money...), and Dave Hickman called to give me advice from his experience with triple bypass surgery. I very much appreciate all of the various well-wishes that I received from numerous other ’75ers. Every day on this side of the grass is a great day!” The Ugly: Sorry, there’s only good-looking people in this section. John Charlton reported on the annual DC Dark Ages Party: We had about 50 folks participate. This was the first sighting of Carlson in about a year. I think he is finally over the twin-baby hump and may get re-energized
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in class affairs once more. Photos from the party show Rick Pyatt, Andy Dichter, Bill Davis, Jerry Manthei, Muddy Waters, Joe May, and Bob “Cowboy” Awtrey.
Pyatt, Dichter, Davis, and Manthei
Waters, May, and Awtrey Fred “Vark” Weems sent an update on his post-retirement activities; sure to make us all jealous and anxious to join him: I retired from the left seat of the 767 at American Airlines in September of 2012. Best decision ever! Loving retirement. I get checks (including SS, I’m really officially old now) from a number of entities that are meant to insure that I do not ever again show up for work. Summer 2013, I went off to Xidian University in Xi’an, China, for a year of language study. Had a great time, and now I can reliably speak the most terrible Chinese ever, in two delicious flavors, Mandarin and Cantonese. I am highly qualified to teach bad habits in several languages now. For now I spend my time in my recording studio, scoring the music for a new ballet I’m creating called Dark Fairy. Pretty girls dancing; what a concept! Some of my dancers made a special T-shirt for me, on the front of which is written Official Dirty Old Man. I wear it proudly. Dawn, my wife of 40 years now, is an ER Doc enjoying some time off between jobs. We’ll be looking to move up to the great Northwest sometime in the near future. Bill Murray recently visited Buck Buchanan with Chad Hennings (USAFA ��������������������������������������������������������������������� ’�������������������������������������������������������������������� 88) in Dallas.������������������������������������������������������ Buck was Equipment Manager for football at the Prep School. He retired a SMSgt in the Air Force and immediately got hired by Tom Landry and the Dallas Cowboys where he worked for another 20 years as their Equipment Manager. When he retired from the Cowboys, his son, Buckey, took over his job. You ������������������������������������ won����������������������������� ’���������������������������� t meet anyone more genuine, nice or sincere than Buck Buchanan – he��������������������������������� ’�������������������������������� s a one-in-a-million guy! He��� ’��s struggling with health issues right now and will probably never leave this facility, but many at USAFA owe him a debt of gratitude; most of all me! Ken Finn has been flying 767s out of ATL to Europe and South America for the past 16 years; about to join the Empty Nester’s Club as his last daughter marries next year. From Mark “Flying Squirrel” Holmes: I������������������������������� ’������������������������������ d taken up jet packing for my 60th and ended up on a magazine cover (Positively ����� Aware). ������������� Still doing that, but wanted something new for my 61st birthday and decided to take up skydiving. I decided to get out of the plane into the air itself and see what that offered. I�������������������������������� ’������������������������������� ve hooked up since with Raider Ramstad, who������� ’������ s the Eagle to my Fledgling and has been jumping since the Academy and has too many jumps to count. I went to a DZ north of here to watch him and 69 other skydivers between 60 and 85 go for a world record formation of 70 skydivers. I came out to the truck and found a note on the windshield with the words “Fast Neat Average… Class of ������������������������� ’������������������������ 16… we������������������ ’����������������� re camped behind you”. Turns out four cadets took their spring break camping at the drop zone and flying for a week there. I didn����������������������������������� ’���������������������������������� t get����������������������������� the chance to fly with them but did meet up and plan to have dinner at Mitch������������������������� ’������������������������ s during the reunion at their table. The long blue line continues!
Holmes and Ramstad Bill Estelle published some great photos of our Legacy Class of 2015’s 100 Night banquet – see them and other juicy tidbits at 75bestalive.org. Until next time, keep smiling!
Dan Beatty 12196 Stanley Canyon Road Colorado Springs, CO 80921 H: (719) 488-1962 C: (719) 338-0276 E-Mail: whrlybrd76@aol.com
Bob Hinger is in Richmond for 6 months for bone marrow transplant. Says things are going well and classmates Ed Morely, Joe Shirey, Harrison Freer, Otto Carroll, Willie Shelton, Drew Boyd, Norm Weinberg, and Rick Mantei have visited and he appreciates those visits. Ray Fortner and John Armor flew a 4-day trip together recently. Both fly for Delta. Tom Baltes & Louise enjoying retirement in Pacific NW, visited daughter Nikki (USAF Major select), hubby Jeff, and new grandson Evan in Aviano last December. Tom will do a 4000-mile bike ride in August, visit www.tomsbikeride. wordpress.com for info. Jim & Joan Crowe contemplating moving back to C-Springs, grandkid #7 due in May. Jim joined CAP, had contact with Dave Vandagriff, visited with Gary & Cathy Turnipseed recently. John Dunstan still flying United 737s from Cleveland, says Jay Heppner gets by there on occasion. John & Crystal travel to far points of the world (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand), sent this pic from Ushuaia, Argentina, southernmost city in the world (Checkpoints does go far!), and were invited to Tom Muckenthaler’s daughter Meghan’s wedding.
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Fellow ’76ers, By the time you get this, Class of 2015 should have thrown their hats! Correction: In my last article I reported Mike Lee retired. In fact, it was Monty Lee. Monty, my apologies. “No excuse Sir!” Sad News: Marian Getzelman, wife of Hal Getzelman, died 11 February. Greg Seely, Steve Odiorne, and I attended Marian’s internment at USAFA. Randy McPeak’s wife died in January. Please keep Hal and Randy and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Moving up/moving on: Kevin ‘Chili’ Chilton honored as a USAFA Distinguished Graduate at the AOG Founders Day dinner. Several 76er’s were able to attend.
Dan Beatty, Tony Przbyslawski, Bill Hobart, Bill Brundage, Kevin Chilton, Russ Laney, John Andrew, and Mick Erdle Greg Seely will retire; ceremony on 22 June, no word on future plans. That’ll put us down to two ’76er’s left on active duty. Jim Lowe retiring 01 July. Still rumored that Ernie Woollard will retire in July. John Tonetti is a retired anesthesiologist, now travelling/exploring the US in his RV with fiancé’, Kathleen. Mike ‘Yama’ Hoyes received his Doctorate in Strategic Leadership on 09 May, and was selected Regent University School of Business & Leadership 2015 Outstanding graduate. Mike has written a book, “Seeing Clearly: Principles, People and Purpose-First Steps for Leaders”. Here’s a link: http:// www.amazon.com/Seeing-Clearly--Principles-PeoplePurpose-Michael-ebook/dp/B00TDCO1AQ/ref=sr_1_1?e =UTF8&qid=1429241725&se=8-1&keywords=hoyes. Sabre Society Congrats Kevin, Greg, Jim, Ernie, John, and Mike! Donors General Class Stuff: Bill Dunn says he, Luckey Dunn, and John Tonetti and ladies rallied near Daytona recently. Bill has 25 years with Florida Retina Institute, Luckey is Dean of FSU Daytona Beach Medical School Campus, John retired as mentioned above. Mike Fricano TDY’d to DC in February, saw Mike Gould & Kevin Chilton, then visited sister Chris and brother-inlaw Dave Berg in Norfolk. Dave still at Joint Test & Evaluation working with an Annapolis ’76er. Ernie Woollard forwarded info about SOS faculty reunion. He saw my wife, Martha’s, name in the info. Thanks Ernie!
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John and Crystal Dunstan down south. John Ausink sent a short note about the challenges of raising kiddos. (I know what you mean classmate!) Bill Swartz still in Derwood, MD, contemplating retirement next year. Steve ‘Monty’ Hall now with 40 FTLS Flight Test at Eglin. Ed Morley still in Patrick AFB area, did a recent trip to Havana, says retirement is about 3 years out. Doug & Cendy Fry visited Jeff & Cyndy Larsen in Rome, are doing volunteer work in Walsenburg, CO, visited kids & grandkids in Georgia, and Doug went first-time turkey hunting. Joe & Julie Wysocki traveled to Lithuania for a family wedding, also stopped in Praque and Estonia. Chuck Pinney forwarded some sad news about a ’77 grad, I passed it on to the ’77 scribe. Thanks Chuck! Warnie Meisetschleager sent an interesting note about virtual vs real world data for pilots. Good stuff Warnie! Tim & Nancy Cantwell, Harrison & Tricia Freer, and Rich & Susan Long did an 8-day sail around the British Virgin Islands. Pirates of the Caribbean? Says all survived.
The Cantwells, Freers, and Longs. Aye, Mateys! Charley Allan working on advanced cruise missile defense, frequently visits Eastern Air Defense Sector and sees his old F-4 on a stick. Charlie Vono reports Nita now battling breast cancer and is doing well. Son Zachary marries this summer in DC. Prayers are with you classmate! Tony Przybyslawski rebutted my calling him class oldest by saying he is the youngest looking. Classmates -- can you say target rich environment? Denny Shupe visited C-Springs on business in May. Dan Moore leaving Peoples Bank. No info on new drill. Al Patriquin and Roger Clements made the annual Alumni Soccer weekend in May. I linked up with Jim Turner and Mike Lee recently. Jim is JROTC honcho at Falcon High School, Mike was presenting MOAA JROTC Award; I was presenting Daedalians JROTC Award. Got a photo of all three but space
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prohibits putting it in this article. I was able to provide commo links for Dave Terifay to Mark Welsh, Ernie Woollard to Mick Erdle, Roger Kontak to Joe Wysocki and Russ Laney, John Andrew to Mike Gould, Ray Tyc to Lin Riley. Got a contact update from Craig Jensen. Bruce Rasmussen inquired about reunion dates. Probably won’t have firm dates until 2016 football schedule is published. NSTR: Mark Evans, Lee Leber, Don Hall, Terry Williams. Class gift update: We’re doing well but there are a couple of pledges that are behind. If you have made a pledge, please try to fulfill it. Martha and I will be near Hurlburt in June for daughter and son-in-law pin-on to Major on 1st, then for birth of #4 grand daughter (their 3rd girl) in mid/late June. Well classmates, again time to stick a fork in it. Lots of photos this time, but I am limited to three so try to use the ones with the most faces/bellybuttons, or unusual items. Send me your notes, inputs, address updates, suggestion, junk mail, etc and I will do my best to keep all of you in the loop. As always, if you are headed to the Springs, let me and the other locals know. Keep flying your flags and let our deployed troops know you have them in your thoughts and prayers. The Spirit of 76 is STILL alive and well! Until next time, Beatty.
John “Lou” Michels, Jr. 4107 Harvey Ave. Western Springs, IL 60558 (312) 463-3412 jmichels@lbbslaw.com loumichels55@gmail.com
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Greetings from the site of the NFL Draft and associated foolishness here on Michigan Avenue. By now the vestiges of winter have receded, most of the ice is off Lake Michigan, and I hope this finds everyone enjoying lots of outdoor entertainment. “Here’s a Toast”: I’m sorry to report on the passing of two more of our classmates over the last quarter. Please keep both of them in your thoughts. Doug Evans (Gayle) passed away on March 6 at his home in Indiana. Doug was a long time Delta pilot, as well as an amateur sailor and model railroader. He was well known for setting up an annual model train display near his home every Christmas and was described by one of his friends as being equally at home with a chainsaw or soldering iron. The thoughts of the class are with Gayle, and their children Neal, Bryan and Leslie. Just before I wrote this column, I got news that Greg Lockhart (Kathy) passed away on April 14. Greg retired as an O-6 after 25 years on active duty and was a senior manager at Raytheon in Northern Virginia. I extend the Sabre Society condolences and sympathies of the class to his wife Donors Kathy, and Erin, Christian, and Brian. We have lost three of our classmates in the last five months. In each case, the former squadron mates for each individual had in place an email roster of classmates for quick and ready notification and response. If you have not done that for your squadron, please consider doing so. Movers and Shakers: As previously reported here, Irv Halter (Judy) ran for Congress unsuccessfully last fall. Obviously recognizing real talent (even if the voters couldn’t), Colorado Governor Hickenlooper is named Irv to a state-level cabinet post. Irv will be overseeing the Colorado Department of Local Affairs for the Gov. Congratulations Irv, and I think all of us are glad to see you back in the public service saddle. Or is it bridle? Let me know once you figure it out. I had lunch with Tony Grady and his daughter Jasmine on a recent vis-
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Grady and Robinson at Ben Carson’s announcement.
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it up here in Chicago. Tony then hopped on a plane to lovely Detroit to catch Dr. Ben Carson’s speech throwing his hat into the ring as a presidential candidate. A large part of Dr. Carson’s decision was orchestrated by Vernon Robinson (Helene), who has been active in North Carolina politics and is now moving up to the national level. Tony fired me a picture of the two of them at the event: You guys look like you’re having way too much fun for being in Detroit. Are you sure you are not in some other place, say Vegas? Thanks for the update, Tony and it was a pleasure to see you again. I had mentioned Doug Beason’s (Cindy) book last column. It rolled out this spring with a nice press release and an appropriate cover photo. Doug noted that the original cover had a fighter zooming through the skies; unfortunately it was an F-14. Doug got the publisher to replace it with a picture of the chapel, generally a safer choice all around. Finally, Mark Gunzinger (Beth) got a nice quote in a recent AP story about the Air Force deciding to move its long range bombers back in a single major command. Perhaps they will name it “Strategic Air Command.” Any bets? Mark is a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments and waxed eloquent about the likelihood of the Air Force’s next generation bomber being assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base. Irv, Tony, Vernon, Doug and Mark -- well done, gents. Classmate Update: I got a few interesting bits and pieces from various folks over the last several months. We’ll start with Chuck McGee (Rebecca) and his airplane on the way to the Army football game last fall. Chuck runs his own financial planning business out of Newport News, and business obviously is good
Chuck and the James River Gang Here is Chuck with said airplane and his accompanying posse: Mac Mc Reynolds (Dorothy), Bobby Clegg (Sheri) and Kevin Roll. All these guys are down in lovely Tidewater, VA and, notwithstanding the miserable weather reflected in Chuck’s later pictures of the game, had a terrific time. Mark Castellani (Susan), a frequent contributor here, put up notice on Facebook that they are retiring from United and remaining in Denver for all the outdoor stuff that people remain in Denver for. My very best congratulations, Mark and Susan, and I hope we will see you on our next trip out there. Robert Massey (Andrea) is gearing up for his annual fire reporting duties out of Arizona. Robert volunteers his airplane, and also undergoes a 135 check ride, in support of fire spotting over a lot of Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah. I’m hoping he sees very little business this year. Geno Redmon (Kristen) fired out a query to a bunch of us as to whether he should keep his Academy yearbooks, other than 1977. I told him I’m keeping all of mine, because there were a lot of guys in there during the first two years that I didn’t see after that. I think that’s the general consensus, but you can vote with Geno on Facebook and give him your insights. Register Spotlight: This month’s selection from the Register of Grads is Tom Mulhern (Lorie). Tom left active duty in 1983 and got his master’s at Grace Theological Seminary. After an affiliation with the Navigators, he spent an extended time as a Christian counselor working for Pearl Counseling in Tacoma. He and Lorie are now active in USANA Health Science distributorships, and Lorie, who is a PGA professional, teaches golf and nutrition as part of the USANA program. They have four kids, and based on my contact with Tom, seem to be on the road a lot, going to interesting places. Best regards, guys. Parting Shot: Your humble scribe has been trying to learn, or relearn, how to ski properly for a number of years. Notwithstanding the efforts of my neighbors in Colorado, it has been an uphill battle (get it, skiing… uphill?). However, I can testify here to the incomparable teaching abilities of my roommate and classmate Dr. Lynn Scott, who dragged me out to Copper Mountain for a day of “practice and learn.” By the end of it, I had my confidence back, and was actually able to ski pretty much any of the intermediate terrain there. Here’s a photo, for proof:
Now, on to the Double Black Diamonds! Many thanks to Lynn and those of you who responded encouragingly when I put this picture up for display. Check Out: That’s it from the, great green, north. All the best until next time. Be seeing you. Bob Kay 40411 Tesoro Lane Palmdale, CA 93551 Home:(661) 274-2201 Cell: (661) 974-1417 Email: Robert.kay78@gmail.com
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(Editor’s note: In the last issue, numerous important paragraphs of Bob’s article were inadvertently deleted. We apologize for this inconvenience. We have reprinted the deleted portion of his March article below. The deleted portion is printed in Italic type. Bob’s current article begins after the first photograph.) Greetings ’78ers… This has been a VERY difficult quarter to write about given the loss of two classmates. Matt LaCourse was tragically killed when his QF-16 crashed off the coast of Florida on Nov 14. His celebration of life was held the following week at Tyndall AFB at the Marina with 1,000 people showing up (many from across the country) for hours to celebrate this incredible husband, father, friend and exceptional fighter pilot. Matt’s squadron (82 ATRS) is still mourning him… his loss will be felt for a long time to all of us who knew him. Wayne Kellenbence and several guys from Roadrunners (Matt’s squadron for most of our time at USAFA) put together an incredibly heartSabre Society felt tribute. Tina is moving to Niceville to be near their Donors daughter and is doing well. Last week (Jan 20) I heard over company email (Northrop Grumman) that Bob Dimmick went out for his afternoon run and didn’t return. He was found on the subsequent search and taken to the local emergency room. His funeral was on 24 Jan at Faith Fellowship in Melbourne which was the church he and Maggie regularly attended. Again, it was very well attended. Bob was a Flight Test Manager for Northrop and had done significant work on the JSTARS program. There have been a large amount of emails on the network reflecting how much Bob was liked and again, that he will be greatly missed. As tragic as Matt and Bob’s passings are, it was striking at how deeply each of them touched so many other people. They both not only made significant contributions to developmental programs that saved many American lives on the battlefield but were amazing husbands, fathers and friends as well. The void they leave will be there for a very long time. God’s speed to you both. To be honest, I’ve been struggling with writing anything else beyond this point given the tragic news but am sure Matt and Bob would want us all to press. So with respect to them both: Will lead off with a reunion shot of the Willy 80-01 UPT class that had their 35th reunion last October (ran out of room in the last article unfortunately). Bonnie Weida sent in the picture and Rich Shook (recently retired as JJ Jackson’s MA at AFREC HQ and now doing consulting work) provided the names.
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Visit the AOG Web Site. Gone But Not Forgotten, Merchandise and more! www.usafa.org
From left are Gary Hughes, Tom Czachor, Kurt Daniels, Rich Shook, Glenn Baker (kneeling), Jon Weiss, John Weida, Rick Gier (kneeling) Dave McLeran, Jay Lindell, Mike Christensen, Tom Keohane and Chuck Chuva. Attending but not pictured were John Follman and Doug Lawton plus 10 spouses. (On to Bob’s current column.) Greetings ’78ers… I hope the warm weather enveloping the country finds all of you well. I would like to start out by thanking Tom Kroboth, the Checkpoints Class News/Obituary editor at the AOG, for his “above and beyond” help with last quarter’s article. As you can see from the “preamble,” a software glitch (that Tom researched for us) deleted the most important portion of last quarter’s article. You received an e-mail from the Association directing you to our class website where Cliff Huff had posted the entire article (thanks Cliff). Tom also ensured that an explanation was posted this quarter. Unfortunately, this installment is a bit briefer than usual (with no pictures) due to a lack of inputs (kind of like the California drought with regards to water)! So please send me stuff in order for everyone to have something to look at. To y’all’s credit though, I haven’t had to shamelessly plead for several quarters…’nuff said. I did hear from Dick Newton after I commented on a LinkedIn blast I had received. Turns out he and Rick Searfoss are faculty members with the Thayer Leader Development Group (www.thayerleaderdevelopment. com). If you aren’t familiar with it, TLDG is one of the premier leadership education organizations in the country made up primarily of USMA grads and retired Army officers. Dick and Rick are the only two AF officers/USAFA grads on an incredibly distinguished faculty… well done you guys! Dick’s full-time job is the Executive Director of the Union League Club in New Your City. Rick continues speaking throughout the nation as well as providing high level consulting to several aerospace firms. Only fitting that ’78 leads the way on this. I reported previously that Brett Vance had left the Test Pilot School at Edwards air patch where he was a civilian instructor pilot for a flight test position with big FAA. He drove back “up the hill” to his old haunts back in February to provide a tremendous presentation to our local Daedalian group on FAA flight test. It was an extremely informative presentation— he’s having way too much fun obviously. Brett is certainly living the high life testing/certifying several civilian airplane variants while suffering in a high-rise condo on the beach. Someone has to do that I suppose. Thanks for the great work Brett. Mr. Faithful, aka Mike “Smacko” McMillie dutifully sent out an e-mail blast on 9 April reminding us of that faithful day when… well, better I let Smacko’s own words shake up some cobwebs: Gentlemen, 40 years ago, we were mired in not getting one those precious privileges we so dearly wanted and knew we had earned...the ability to dress in something other than a uniform and to listen to music. The message went out; we were going to do something. We broke ranks at the noon meal formation. We charged the hill at lunch with “Stereos and Civie Clothes, ’78 is late”. No marching to lunch that day, we acted as a class to let the ‘enemy’ (upper class leadership) know we were upset. We clearly demonstrated we were a class... a coherent group that believed in each other and worked with each other. A few days later... after an appreciable amount of ‘cooling off time’... April 15th, 1975... the Noon meal announcement from the tower said we could now have the desired prize. As a class, we had made the decision not to celebrate and remain ‘rocks’ when this happened. Another class act by a class acting like a class (and pissing off the upper classes). I have always thought that was a turning point for us... a defining moment. 40 years ago, today. A salute to you and those of our classmates no longer with us to celebrate. ’78 is great! Always has been, Always will. As you can imagine, Smacko’s tome generated a great deal of response reminding us not only of that feat but another one during Hell Week up on a certain “hill” called Flatiron. A feat still to be equaled I’m willing to bet. Great job as always Smacko! Finally, and I usually hesitate to do this, I received an unsolicited e-mail
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Class News from a USNA grad (Rick Campbell) who was pitching a novel he wrote last year called The Trident Deception. He offered to send me a hard copy and asked if I’d be willing to pitch it to the class (fairly creative way to get exposure). I took him up on the offer but told him I would only plug it if I liked it. As promised, I read it a couple of weeks ago while in Korea on business. I enjoyed it so much that I immediately ordered the e-book of his recently published sequel, Empire Rising. Both books were meticulously researched (the author was a submariner) and are severe page-turners! I read the second one on the flight back from Korea last week and enjoyed it thoroughly. If you enjoy the Tom Clancy/Stephen Coonts genre of writing I highly recommend giving one or both of these a look. Well gents, that’s a wrap for this quarter. Again, please consider sending updates, especially if you haven’t before or recently…it greatly helps the finished product. May you all have a great Spring and Summer while residing in our great nation. God Bless. ’78 is Great!
Mike Watson 6438 W. John Cabot Road Glendale, AZ 85308 (602) 993-0840 michaelwatson@cox.net
Rand continue holding down the active duty fort. CSAF recently said Baba was “the best leader in the USAF” as he was named AFGSC’s first fourstar commander. Boss continues doing great work as the Assistant Vice CSAF, recently hosting an Air Force Association Mitchell Institute forum on airpower and operational challenges facing our USAF. Retired Lt Gen Steve Mueller was elected to the USAFA AOG Board of Directors. Retired MGen Randy Fullhart is now the commandant of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. I remember walking by Second Group staff one afternoon and watching Randy sit on the floor of his spotless cadet dorm room with a deck of cards. He told me that he was turning over one card at a time and would then alternate doing that number of situps or pushups until the deck was completely turned over. I was so exhausted just watching him that I went to my room and took a combat nap. SELFIES: Livin’ the dream below is Brock Eshleman. Here he is with his arms full of my wife, Bonnie, and his lovely bride, Marianne. When he is not engaged in his second childhood as an airline pilot, he is a cyclingstud who makes the occasional visit to the local ER.
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GREETINGS BROTHERS! It’s time to take a break from writing my life’s story to address the adoring fans who actually read these Checkpoints class news articles. I’m tossing around working titles for my autobiography and would appreciate inputs from the Men of ’79. I’ve narrowed it down to these two possibilities: “Finding The Ideal Man: Where’s Watson!” or “Ugly and Repulsive, But Not Illegal; My Memoirs”. Remember, stay connected with our classmates via 79mail@proto6.com if you have something to share. That availability, plus Facebook and other social media will soon make these Class articles obsolete. Until then, sleep-tight; I’m right here to tuck you in. REUNION RECAP: WOW! It was truly a fantastic success due to the ’79ers who worked each individual event. Did you spend time with who you wanted to see after all these years? By visiting the home of fellow Dirty Dozen Paul Diamond, we’re reminded of what family is all-about; catching-up with another Dirty Dozen sidekick, Rex Keese, reminds us just how funny (and sincere) our classmates are; and a gathering of CSq-13 Bulldogs rivals any brotherhood on planet earth. Side-bar thanks to Wally Davis and Geoff Mulligan for videotaping parts of the reunion. Wally posted his Sabre Society video on-line but I haven’t seen Geoff’s video pop-up Donors anywhere. He recorded a lot of the golf tournament and is probably still working on a highlight reel of the winning teams’ greatest shots. Who was that winning team, you ask? It was none other than Chip Taylor, Steve Barnes, Mark Stearns, and me. Don’t try recruiting any of these proven winners for our next reunion’s golf tourney team, though. Chip made all of us sign, in blood, an oath to defend our Championship as a four-ship. I tried telling him that your best round of golf will be followed almost immediately by your worst round ever. The probability of the latter increases with the number of people you tell about the former. Pictured are two of the Fab-Four: Chip and Steve in their Air Force blue shirts with Tom English rounding out (pun intended) the middle.
Pictured below are John Susalla and his amazingly fit better-half, Kathy. Once their airline careers are over, they promise to rethink life in the frozen state of Michigan and consider a transplant to the desert southwest where his parents and brother reside. When Sus visited Casa-de Bonnie recently, we surprised him with a guest appearance by Max Wyman and his wife, Josie. Max brought a housewarming gift of a dozen eggs from his hen house! Our classmates have terrific stories to tell and it was great to finally listen to Max’s!
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GO STUFF: Miss Bonnie and I plan to attend the retirement of BGen Jon Fago in June from his position as Chief of Staff for the Nebraska Air National Guard. To my knowledge, MGen Tru Eyre, Lt Gen Doug Robb, Lt Gen Andy Busch, Lt Gen Steve Hoog, Gen Frank Gorenc, and Gen Robin
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MORE OF THE SAME (and then some…): I played a rain-soaked round of golf w/Scott Van Valkenburg (yes, it does rain here in Arizona). A few months later during Super Bowl week, he and I attended the “Feherty Live!” show followed by a very wet, rainy second round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament where we slogged around TPC Scottsdale watching Tiger’s chipping woes, Bubba’s conversations with himself, and a drenched Lefty sulk his way around the course until the TV cameras and fans thickened-up around #16’s Bird’s Nest stadium par three. I attended an AOG Super Bowl Party also attended by Bill Gregory and Clyde Spencer. Pat Gerdemann missed the reunion but reports all is well in Lubbock, TX with his new bride, Wendy. Dan Martin splits his time between Colorado and Tucson, AZ where his daughter is soon to be a doctor. Dano told me over the phone that he is back flying w/Delta, thinks of his classmates often, and wishes we had roomed together at USAFA. Randy Meyer continues his life commuting to New York City for his career as a Jet Blue pilot. Randoo, who is also my First Command Financial Services client, definitely stays active as he meets regularly with Arizona’s new governor, writes legislation, and continues to be a very strong voice for local military issues. Chuck Franceschi is National Vice President -Five Rings Financial in Colorado; he e-mails a financial message to those
interested in his insights. Ed Browne retired from his civil service position at Peterson AFB. Ed, who retired from active duty as a Lt Col, spent his career (once he pinned-on captain) in Colorado Springs via Pete Field, USAFA, Falcon AFB, Schriever AFB, and back to Peterson AFB! In February, Dr Bob Kadlec appeared on “60 Minutes” to speak about the fight against Ebola and US readiness. He was President Bush’s point man on Bio-Defense. Mark Stearns is planning a return visit to Arizona for his daughter’s college graduation. He’ll bring his fiancée, Rose; we hope to “link” up, again. As first-assignment rotor heads together at FE Warren AFB, WY, Sterno and I routinely flew missions solo. One of the beautiful things about a single piloted aircraft is the quality of the social experience. NEXT ARTICLE’S AUTHOR: John Pardo at pardo_john@hotmail.com or1843 Miller Dr, Dupont, WA 98327; (253) 507-4889 (h). If you attempted to send me inputs for this article, please send them on to JP for his use. My e-mail address was incorrect at the end of Geoff’s article… Fly Safe, Mike.
Don Myers 401 Chambray Hill Peachtree City, GA 30269-4247 (770) 631-1429 E-mail: DMyers80@hotmail.com FB group: “USAFA Class of 1980” Class Website: www.usafa80.org
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Party’s on! If you haven’t heard about our upcoming reunion, 21-25 Oct, you’re living under a rock (or you haven’t provided your email address to either the AOG or Jeff Mielke). Be there! Speaking of our reunion, Gene/Mitch Mitchell volunteered to put together a montage video that will include several photos of our 32 deceased classmates. These will include cadet and post-cadet shots. Needed are fairly high-res JPEG photos that are titled with the classmate’s name. Send to Mitch at aaviator@gmail. com. Some of you may have good pics, even if you weren’t in the same squadron—too many is better than none. Help Mitch make this a worthy tribute. Hero update. Bill (Stacey) Andrews, POW and Air Force Cross recipient, is quite ill and will not attend our reunion. He has Stage 4 brain cancer and the docSabre Society Donors tors are out of ideas. Marianne (Owens) (Dave) LaRivee related how, earlier this year, the fine folks from his cadet squadron, CS-27 Thunderbirds, decided, “If Bill couldn’t come to the reunion… Jim Riggins and I planned a mini-reunion at his home in Virginia. Jim flew out there from Colorado, and was joined by several of our East Coast classmates. We gathered as many photos from cadet days as we could. The AOG came through with a tiny sabre (letter-opener) displayed in a box. I had the plaque engraved, To Bill Andrews, our hero, from your friends in CS-27. The gathering was a success.” Several more squadron-mates visited him individually over the next few weeks. This “news” will be quite stale by the time you read it, but cards are always appreciated. The Andrews’ address can easily be found at the AOG website. Special knot-tying. Randy Chow notes, “Here’s a photo of Craig Carter (CS-07) and me (CS-04). We were Doolie roommates in CS-06 and when Sheri and I got married during June Week, Craig was one of my groomsmen. Thirty-four years later, Senior Pastor Craig Carter married my daughter, Kayla, and husband, Matt, in Panama City, Florida.”
der of the Sword is not given to an officer because they have had a great career, or because they are a four-star general, or because they are the ‘first in history,’” Chief Master Sgt. Michael Warner said at the event. “All of those things apply to you, but we awarded you the Order of the Sword for your leadership—your servant leadership.” Oh, another perk to being a bigshot at Wright-Pat was she got to escort Lt Col Richard Cole, age 99, as he gave the Tokyo Raiders’ Congressional Gold Medal to the National Museum of the Air Force. Short history lesson: Cole was the other pilot in the B-25 with Doolittle. Caught Ginny (Caine) and Larry Tonneson on a project in Qatar (!?). Once back, Ginny wrote, “[We] live in Williamsburg, VA, where we have our own consulting company. Larry provides consulting services to the defense industry and develops scenarios for clients to test their wares through modeling and simulation and I focus on educational consulting. After retiring from the AF in 2000, I got my PhD in Educational Policy at William and Mary and it opened up some terrific opportunities. I have been fortunate enough to be able to conduct education workshops throughout the US and in South America, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Our son, Matt (USAFA 2004), works with satellite operations in the DC area and our daughter, Jen, will become an USAF surgeon in 2016.” Finally, Russ Hodgkins ventured to Vance AFB for his younger son’s UPT graduation. “He was in class 15-05, which makes me feel very old, trying to count the years from my class 81-06. In the photo, left to right, is my son, Greg (USAFA ’13), my other son Gordon (USAFA ’08), and me. As you can see, I got the service dress out of the closet. It was only a little snug. There were only 15 students in my son’s class, and about half of them are Guard or Reserve. The active duty guys considered themselves lucky that none got UAV assignments. After talking to my son and his classmates, I can safely say the Air Force seems to be in pretty good hands. All of them are as enthusiastic and ready to get to it as any of us were. As for me, I’m still flying the Pilatus PC-12 for PlaneSense, a fractional operator out of Portsmouth (AKA Pease), NH. I’m the Director of Safety, and up to my ears working on our Safety Management System (SMS) accreditation. It keeps me off the streets. Strive to excel, slash ‘em with a beak, etc., etc.”
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Matt, Kayla, Sheri, Randy, and Craig Handing over the reins. First, Janet (Libby) Wolfenbarger is retiring this summer. She had her hand in three major weapon systems, the B-2, C-17, and F-22. She was inducted into the Order of the Sword. “The Or-
In Dad’s footsteps. . . More good stuff. Pried some info from Jack Barker. When not flying, “My side business is CRM for health care and other industries. I have been doing this for over 10 years now, mainly working in various hospital ORs and EDs.” Camera-ready Ed Herlik says, “I usually attend the annual Space Symposium at the Broadmoor Hotel. This time, I was lucky enough to meet my SERE travel team partner, Susan Helms, as she left an astronaut breakfast event. Susan recently retired to Colorado Springs, close enough to spend much more time with her parents in Colorado.”
Ed Herlik and Susan Helms
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“Good news on my [George Ryan] front. After all my chemo and surgery and an appropriate recovery time, I’ve finally been able to get the FAA to renew my medical certificate. My aircraft of choice is a T-41C at the Fort Meade Aero Club. I’m sure I flew it at the Zoo during T-41 Dawn Patrol, and a lot of our classmates’ bottoms have also graced the same seat. So, every time I go up, it’s like connecting with a classmate. My AF Jr. ROTC position is very enjoyable.” Mike Gleichman “was attending a training class at UPS last year, which included additional information on our new cockpit Electronic Flight Bag [Kit], or EFK. Prior to this class, all pilots had to go through a couple hours of training via computer; looking at PowerPoint slides and playing with your new toy—EFK (an iPad). During the class, I mentioned to the instructor that I found the PowerPoint training surprisingly understandable, very practical, and that it even included some humor. He replied that the one who put the EFK training together was Mike Carlson! That didn’t surprise me one bit.” Request from www.DougBeason.com (’77), writing third Zoomie novel, concentrating on our era, and would like unique-to-’80 stories. Really? Kathy and I were on the beach at Naval Station Mayport during Spring Break. I was reminded of a three-week stint, during summer ’79, where 30 of us got to “enjoy” UDT/SEAL training: There was a group of six men from the University of Florida SPECWARFARE Club (yes, a club!) getting very sandy and wet while enduring hours of punishing exercises . . . so they could be ready for the SEAL/BUDS screening test. They were very proud that, outside of USNA, they had the highest entrance rate into BUDS. HOO-ya! …and take care. Rich Trentman 11102 Asbee St. Falcon, CO 80831-8170 Work: (719) 452--7708 Cell: (719) 640-9586 USAFA Class of 1981 (Facebook) rtrentman@falconbroadband.net Class Website: www.usafa81.com
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The class of 2015 has graduated and 2019 will be arriving when you get this article. It makes you wonder where the time went. It has been a very tough Spring at USAFA with the tragic death of a bright, local Firstie in April. (Cause still unknown.) Even more tragic, his Mother wandered off in the foothills near Colorado Springs and was found dead a couple weeks later. Say a few prayers for the family. Class News: Darren McKnight sent me a nice update! Darren and Alison live in Northern Virginia and like many of us now (not me) are empty nesters with their two daughters in college. They spent New Year’s skiing in Stowe, VT. Darren travels quite a bit overseas – Beijing, Toronto, London, and Brussels as a space scientist. He said Eric and Anna Garvin recently moved from Maryland to Florida. Danny and Karen Crews also recently relocated to Florida. I was emailing Tim Harris on LinkedIn and felt stupid for not knowing he had moved from Colorado Springs over two years ago. I used to see Tim at AF basketball all the time. Tim and Michelle are now in Columbus, OH. They are both doing well and are grandparents with two
grandsons in Denver. Tim said he plans to retire this year and they want to move to Phoenix. Several reasons for the move: closer to Denver; near his Mother; and no snow! (Tim said he went injury free in his basketball career, but has blown out both knees slipping on snow and ice.) Amy Markert is doing well out in dry California. She had lunch with Silvi (Kiisk) Steigerwald recently and plans to have dinner with Silvi and Sandra Yope for Sandra’s birthday. Amy was in Arizona recently visiting her fiancé, Scott Alexander. They got engaged last Summer, but no date has been set, yet. Amy was at the Parachute Center in Lodi (not jumping) judging a meet. She ran into other USAFA grads from the Parachute team. I got a short email from Karen Manos. She is doing well in DC and I told her I would try to give her a call on my next trip out there. Scott Land is resettled in Missouri a bit North of Whiteman AFB after a ten+ year hiatus in Omaha. Tanya works a small hospital and Scott is doing some mission planning for the B-2s. Scott did remark he has flight suits older than the people flying B-2s now. He did have a one last ’81 lunch with Frank Gallegos and Drew Grant in Omaha before leaving. I do (kind of) have dinners with Tom Masiello on my trips to Rome, NY. Tom is the commander of Air Force Research Lab in Wright Patterson, but as I am a creature Sabre Society Donors of habit and go to the same old restaurant in Rome, NY every trip. Every time, they seat me next to Tom’s picture on the wall. Tom thinks it is pretty funny. I did tell him to let me know if he has an AFRL Rome site visit and I would try to make a trip up there to have a real dinner with him. Bryan Funke sent me a picture of Kurt Neubauer’s fini-flight. Kurt and Jake Polumbo went flying together at Shaw AFB. Scott Suhr of Hollywood fame appeared in a short segment of “MARVEL, Agents of SHIELD” with Katherine Leigh Scott (Dark Shadows -- Maggie). Scott did promise he would give out autographs at next year’s reunion. Ned Rudd is doing well in St Louis. He was excited as were most of us with AF’s great football season last Fall. Ned runs into Steve Brunhaver and Grace Battaglia occasionally. Both of them live near Scott AFB. Grace works at Boeing. Sam Angelella will be retiring about the time you are reading this article. I am off to beautiful North Dakota in a couple weeks to drop off son #2 to start at the North Dakota Highway Patrol Academy. He graduates from UCCS and starts at their academy 3 days later for 22 weeks of training.
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Jake Polumbo, Bryan Funke, and Kurt Neubauer It is with the heaviest of hearts that we lost our classmate Phillip Perry, CS-28, on March 24th. Keep Phil and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Keep in touch! Our USAFA Class of 1981 Facebook page has 133 members now. The Center for Character and Leadership Development building near Arnold hall is coming along. It should be ready to go for our reunion. Thanks for all your inputs. Go AF!
Jim Ratti 2860 Arbor Pointe Drive Middletown, OH 45042 (937) 760-2333 rattijm@mindspring.com
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Greetings Redtags! Winter seems to have finally lost its grip on Ohio, and we’re enjoying some nice spring weather. Yay! After the non-global-warming-like winter we had here, I’m really happy to see some moderating temperatures. Of course, one guy who doesn’t have to worry about the changing seasons is BGen Abel Barrientes. Abel lives in Hawaii, and is the mobilization as-
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sistant to the Vice Commander, Pacific Air Forces, at Hickam. So why did I bring that up, save for the lame connection with the weather? Because I learned back in February that Abel has been nominated for a second star! No word on whether his assignment will change, or when. Congrats, Abel! Mike Sinisi held the latest in a series of his lunch gatherings in D.C. back in February, and the announcement of that event inspired the C-Springs crowd to meet for lunch on the same day. I have pictures of both for your viewing pleasure. Here’s the one Mike sent from D.C. From left we have Mike Sinisi, Kirk Hunigan, Stu Rodgers, Doc Kimminau, Gail Tarlton, Steve Jarvis, Michael Kempton, Art Crain, Brian Neal, Alan Goard, BoBo Schillp, and Keith Zuegel.
works for NASA. Alisa reminded me that at our 30th reunion in 2012 some of our classmates were shocked to learn that 1.) Atwell was FINALLY married, and that 2.) Alisa was five months pregnant with his first child! Well, they had their daughter, Sydney Louise, on Feb. 22, 2013. As you can see in the picture below, Atwell is a proud father to say the least!
D.C.’s Out-To-Lunch Bunch Meanwhile, out in C-Springs our classmates did a virtual rejoin with the D.C gang and held a luncheon of their own. Dean Mills sent this picture. From left are Barb Faulkenberry, Bob Nissen, Rob Peterson, Jim Dahlmann, Chuck Schweiss, Greg Tate, Ron Williams, Dean Mills, Gary Packard, and Ted Brewer.
The Williams Family, Christmas 2014 Well, that’s about all the news I have for this time around. I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable summer, and I look forward to hearing all about your latest events and accomplishments. Keep me posted! Until next time, your humble scribe, Ratman.
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Members Sue Ross sueross@sierraconsulting.org
The C-Springs Shadow Luncheon Eddie McAllister lives in Florida near Eglin and is an Ops Analyst with AFRL’s Munitions Directorate. Eddie said that he too has been inspired by the D.C. lunch gatherings and promised to set up a similar shadow event in the Florida panhandle one of these days. Eddie says there’s a ton of Redtags down there. In fact, he had a nice rendezvous with several in February at the AFA Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando. He sends word that Brig Gen Jim Eifert is still the Assistant Adjutant General, Florida ANG and that Kevin Smith is an F-35 and USAF Program Manager at Lockheed Martin. Gail (Cooper) Allen, works business development for Northrop Grumman Sabre Society at Eglin, and her husband, Mike Allen, is still a pilot for Donors Delta Airlines. Steve Wills is in business development for Raytheon at Eglin, and has a daughter at the University of Florida. While attending the symposium, Eddie also bumped into Maj Gen Bob Otto (Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance at the Pentagon), Bob Ranck (Senior VP Gov’t Programs at Gulfstream), and Troy Miller (Regional VP Military and Special Missions sales at Gulfstream). For his part, when Eddie’s not busy working munitions issues at AFRL and keeping up with classmates, he moonlights as the President of the Eglin chapter of the Air Force Association. Mike Sinisi sent out a happy snap of Dan Rooney with Usain Bolt. Dan was in New York and somehow caught up with the fastest man alive long enough to get a picture. Unfortunately the resolution isn’t high enough to use here, but the picture’s pretty neat. Dan’s no shorty at about 6’ 1”, but he looks like a midget next to the 6’5” Lightning Bolt! And speaking of neat pictures, here’s one I received from Atwell Williams’ lovely wife, Alisa. They live in Houston, where I believe Atwell still
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So here’s the story of how I came to be writing this update: Ray Blust emailed my former roomie Tamra Rank and asked if she would write this one. Her response was that I should do it. Since she retired as AFA Vice Superintendent in 2013, she’s been a vice president at Valdez International, and she still has that senior executive mindset: a task passed is a task complete! Check. Then she headed off to New Orleans to catch up with Delta pilot Woodie Beall, then to Cincinnati for the wedding of Wes Denny (‘13), son of Gayle (Johnson) Denny and John Denny (‘84). Congrats to Tamra also on being elected to the AOG board. Hope you all voted! Speaking of AOG board members, I got an update from Bebe (Cronin) O’Neil who is just finishing up her term. Bebe and Jim O’Neil (‘79) are happy to be empty nesters after raising four great kids. Bebe is at United Airlines, Chief Pilot in Denver, and Jim is flying for American out of DFW. Oldest daughter, Megan (‘14), is at Vance for UPT and youngest daughter, Molly, played for Team USA Women’s Hockey in the World University Games in Spain in February. The boys are lacrosse and hockey players at Metro and CU Boulder. She also passed along an update from Rex Bailey, who lives in Parker, CO and flies for United. Son Nick is in the class of 2017 at USAFA, a soaring IP and member of the Academy Ski Team. (They went to Nationals this year for the first time.) Luke is a high school freshman, and wife, Kim, is an Elementary School Counselor in Littleton.
The Bailey family on vacation in Hawaii. Rex’s name also came up in my conversation with his former roommate Chris Brantley. He also lives in Parker, and flies for Frontier. In fact
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Rex told him that Parker was the place to be—Denver airline pilots’ base housing. Chris says he and Rex got together more often before they lived in the same town. Chris is swearing in his oldest, Mark, as a Marine officer in May after he graduates from RPI. Son Greg is in AFROTC at Colorado State, and his youngest is in high school. I also caught up with Chris Cicere, who is still working in the AFA athletic department along with Linda Hugler – they both do intercollegiate athletic stuff, and Doug Hill, who is coaching soccer. He also runs into physics prof Francis Chun on a regular basis. Chris has one son graduated and employed, one graduating from high school this year and headed off to play baseball in Iowa, and one in 8th grade. We get together a couple times a year with Dave’s former roommate Tony Smith and his wife, Jean (Tibbits) Smith (’89). Tony retired from the Air Force in 2005 and now they live in Centennial (Denver). Tony works for ADA-ES doing environmental engineering, and Jean works in a physical therapy office. They have two daughters in high school and one in middle school. Jean also helped found the Denver AOG chapter and is active with that. My hubby, Dave Ross, still flies 767s for ABX Air, mostly flying freight for DHL in Central and South America and the Caribbean. He is also a check airman. His most interesting recent cargo included two 150+ pound anacondas he picked up in Surinam. Hope they used lots of tape on the package! I am still writing and marketing my academy candidate books, teaching English at Colorado Technical University, and volunteering with a local leadership program. Our son just graduated from Colorado State and is working at Charles Schwab in Denver, and our daughter is in 11th grade.
on seniority, and the class of ‘75 took the Navy weekend. Tish (Dierlam) Norman is spearheading reunion efforts and will be providing updates as details start falling into place. Other members of the Reunion Committee include Lynn Steer, Debbie Harris, and Joyce Washington. Committee members may be contacted through the AOG website, www.usafa.org/reunions. Please check the class Facebook page, USAFA - Class of 1985, for the most current reunion information. The Reunion Committee participated in a food and wine tasting on April 24th at the Colorado Springs Doubletree. With payment like that, they were happy to take one for the team! Key Reunion Details: Make reservations at the Colorado Springs Double Tree. Renovated rooms, great outdoor space, and can host the Thursday night social and Friday dinner. Room rate is $99 per night, and includes two buffet breakfasts. This rate is available from 3 days before to 3 days after the reunion. The link to the Doubletree is http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/C/COSP-DT-A8520151007/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG Sabre Society Registration will be out in mid-June once the AOG Donors implements their new registration system. Class memorabilia will be out on the Cole Promo website in the next month. Please order at least one month prior to the reunion to ensure items are received in time. The AOG will be sending out e-mail updates, so please ensure your address is current. Gary Rafferty is the POC for the combined Class of 75/Class of 85 golf tournament. Mike Canino is the POC for the Memorial Ceremony. If anyone has any photos or videos that can be used at the slide show/video presentation, please contact Joyce Washington via Facebook or e-mail at jdwashington85@msn.com. Class jerseys may be obtained from Fanatics.com or the USAFA Visitors Center. If anyone wants to be the POC to get orders for $60 each, please contact Tish at tishnorman@gmail.com. Per the AOG, A-jackets can only be purchased by current cadets. Please contact a grad with a cadet if one is needed. There are no formal events on Wednesday or Saturday nights; therefore, these are the best times to schedule events with family, friends, and squadron mates. The Thursday night social will have an open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres. The Friday dinner will be a seated meal with open bar, and a DJ featuring 80’s music.
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Dana Born retires Rich Fullerton. Now for the overachiever segment: our class’s first general officer, Dana (Lindsley) Born, retired our class’s #1 graduate, Rich Fullerton, in August. Rich was AFA permanent professor in Economics and GeoScience. After pinning on the star and exiting with a style, he promptly broke his leg rock climbing. He’s now teaching at Colorado College. Congrats also to Dave Goldfein on being nominated to be vice chief of staff, and Darryl Roberson to be AETC commander. ’83, way to lead! Mike Jensen 6547 N. Academy Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80918 (719) 338-3570 Web Page: www.usafa84.com Email USAFA1984@gmail.com Facebook: USAF Academy 1984 Twitter: @USAFA84
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(21 Sabre Society Donors) (Editor’s note: We did not receive an input from Mike for this issue. Please send him your information and photos for the next magazine.)
W. Scott Carney P.O. Box 210 Princeton, ME 04668 USAFA.Class.of.1985@gmail.com
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Greetings ’85ers! Mark your calendars and purchase your airline tickets. At long last, our 30Year Reunion date has been set. The celebration will take place 7-11 October over the Wyoming football game weekend. Reunion dates are selected based
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Scott Dumbauld is working with the USAFA Endowment in the planning stages of a Class Gift Project to coincide with our reunion. This is a great opportunity for everyone to take some time to reflect on how much the relationships, experiences, and values forged at the Academy have meant to each of us.
Visit the AOG Web Site. Gone But Not Forgotten, Merchandise and more! www.usafa.org
And through your generosity, we can help ensure that future classes continue to benefit from the institutional strength and reputation that have carried us through the years. Class giving programs are now focused on financial support for key initiatives identified by Academy leadership, so they benefit from a higher level of focus and profile than in the past. Watch for project updates on our Facebook page and the AOG website, and thank you in advance for your generous support. Congratulations to Brig. Gen. Chris Funk on his promotion to the general officer ranks. Chris is the 482nd Fighter Wing commander at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida. In other general officer news, Maj. Gen. Tim Ray was just nominated for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant General, and is slated to become commander, Third Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein AFB, Germany. Fantastic accomplishment!! Steve Kelly recently represented Team USA in the ParaOlympics. Way to go Steve! Ed Koslow just had his retirement ceremony last month and will be one of the ‘85ers with “30 years and 2 days” of active service, with a retirement effective date of 1 Jun 15... hard to believe that we graduated 30 years ago! He retired as the F-15 System Program Manager and had the AFLCMC/CC, Lt Gen John “JT” Thompson (‘84) preside over the ceremony. Ed was the 85th WSO to fly the Strike Eagle and was in the first operational F-15E squadron back in ‘89 during Desert Storm. While in developmental test after TPS, he bought the last USAF F-15s in his first SPO tour, and finished up as the SPM at Robins. He just made his final move to settle down and currently resides in the Tampa, Florida area.
kid through Virginia Tech, but I just took a new senior analyst position in the Afghanistan Pakistan Task Force within DoD and after a bit of spin-up time, I will go down range and experience the hospitality of the citizens of Kabul. Unfortunately that also means I will probably miss out impending 2016 reunion unless something miraculous happens and the powersthat-be at USAFA treat us with a bit of respect and priority by scheduling our class reunion very early in the season.
Lawrence Cooper, his beard, his wife, Mary Cooper, and daughter Zarina Cooper at the National Zoo’s newly refurbished Seal habitat. First to check in this edition is Ed Yong, who is still hanging out at Offutt. Apparently even after nearly 30 years he often wakes up on Saturday mornings in a panic, thinking he is late for class. Interestingly, this sparked an interesting conversation on our Facebook page in which I found out many of us still have the occasional nightmare. Mine involves a disembodied voice reciting one of Kipling’s poems: “Boots, Boots… Marching up and down again…” Getting back to the subject, Ed is secretary of the Offutt AOG Chapter and recently got to meet Heather Wilson, ’82, the current president of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
The Koslow family, from left, are son-in-law Jon, daughter Christina, daughter Amanda, grandson Corrin, wife, Karen, Ed Koslow, son Andrew, granddaughter Sarah, son Michael (‘10) and daughter-in-law Stephanie. Gary Rafferty and his bride, Kristyn, have resettled in Colorado Springs. He is hanging up his DoD contractor spikes and putting his MBA in Personal Finance to work as a financial advisor. He is very excited to see as many classmates as possible in October. Ron Milligan is retiring on May 2nd after 30 years of service. Ron was the 940 OG/CC at Beale AFB (AFR) CA. His ceremony will be at March AFB (ANG). Ron is looking forward to spending more time with his family, remodeling his house, and riding his dual sport motorcycle. Ron will also be flying for Delta as a 737 captain. It is hard to believe 30 years has passed already. I’d like to reiterate Michael Black’s challenge... if you haven’t been to a reunion, come to this one. And if you have been to a previous reunion, come again and bring along a classmate who hasn’t. Get the word out to as many classmates as possible, and let’s make this the best reunion ever. ‘85 Best Alive! Scott
Lawrence Cooper 2806 Erics Court Crofton, MD 21114 410-451-6505 Cooper@astroguy.net
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Greetings Everyone! The Class of 1986 is maturing (see, I didn’t say “OLD!”), moving about, and starting have our kids leave the nest. I’m in touch with more and more of you and have had the opportunity to run into several here and about the DC area. For me, I’m mixing things up again – in previous updates I’ve shown that I’m rocking a beard now, but as you know with great beard comes great responsibility -- not only am I dealing with putting my oldest
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Heather Wilson ’82 and Ed Yong John Flanagan recently checked in. He’s hanging his hat in Midland, MI and is the Director of Aviation at the Dow Chemical Company. Dow has an Air Force? Wow. You can message him at John Flanagan, 1216 Marriet Court, Midland, MI 48640, (989) 859-6737. Roger Thrasher also checked in. As you may know (and you should because I’ve told you several times now), Roger is the head of our class gift committee. He writes, “back at our last reunion, we all came up with the bright idea to donate a wing of the new Center for Character and Leadership (http://ccld.usafa. org/Project.aspx). This is not an AOG project. This is an Endowment-funded USAFA project. We are on the hook for $250,000 and have raised a little over half with a little over 5% of our class participating. We’re supposed to have the entire donation by the upcoming reunion. Please, please make a donation. Ever little bit Sabre Society helps and it can be done monthly, quarterly, annually, Donors or a one-time payment. Some of us are giving $86 per month. Some are giving $1986 a quarter. Some gave a lot. We all got a lot of benefit from our time at USAFA. Sure, it came with a lot of blood, sweat, and tears (and blisters), but this is our chance to improve on the Academy and give future Cadets a better experience than we had.” To make that donation, please contact Roger, me, or the Endowment. Vinnie Savino is up next. He says, “Figured I check in again as it’s been a few years. My wife and I moved to sunny San Vito Dei Normanni, Italy about a year ago and are enjoying our two older boys’ families, especially our 3 grandsons, ages 3, 1yr and 6mo. Our other son, Zack, is now a sophomore at Saint John’s University in Queens, NY majoring in Toxicology. After receiving an appointment to USAFA class of 2017, he decided not to go the military route and take his Academic scholarship to St. John’s… can’t really blame him. He said if he went to the Academy he’d probably follow in my footsteps to become a Combat Rescue Officer and didn’t want to subject his family to the constant deployments and absences from his family… pretty sobering thought process! We figured out after I retired in 2010, between deployments and TDYs I’d been gone for 9 out of our 18 years of marriage. “Anyway, that’s not why I am writing. I wanted to send a couple of photos from a recent ski trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Zack and I met some fellow 29ers, Jan Tavrytzky and Pat Jameson with his son, Colton, who is a sophomore at Arizona State University. We had a great time and will meet up again next year for some ski adventures in Utah! Tav and Pat have been getting together with a group of friends for about 10 years… so I figured it was time to join in on the fun!”
A recent business trip brought Dave Maharrey back to the Womb in Colorado Springs. He writes: “Sorry for waiting until the last minute. I’d planned to write earlier, but as I’m currently out here in Colorado Springs, it reminded me to get this done. I retired in 2012 as an AF Civil Engineer Col out of Osan (7 AF/A7) during the last SERB. I decided I wanted to continue doing what I did in the AF (facility management) at higher education institutions. The first job I applied for was at LSU, followed by numerous other locations. Having been stationed in the south or Hawaii for 10 years of my 26, I wasn’t keen on the north or snow, but we were going wherever the job was. Lucky for us, LSU called and we’ve been here on the Bayou since July 2012. “Here at LSU, I’m responsible for all the in-house operations and maintenance activities. As my wife, Judy, likes to say ‘Same circus, different town.’ We have a 20 MW cogeneration plant producing electricity, steam, and chilled water, utilities distribution throughout the campus, and 12 million square feet of facilities. Just like many bases. “I’m actually in C Springs for LSU business. LSU has a geology camp out by Cheyenne Mountain and Fort Carson. So I’m out here checking on the facilities and working with the caretaker to develop some maintenance protocols. “We love it in Baton Rouge. We decided wherever we went, we were planting roots. So we bought a house about 3 miles from campus. I did the Pentagon commute for four years and I wasn’t doing that kind of drive again. So it takes me less than 10 minutes to work, shorter than my commute when I was the base civil engineer living on base at Eglin. “Judy and I have been married for over 16 years and our combined family includes 1 daughter, 4 boys (second youngest 28) is a SSgt at Osan) and 7 grandkids. We are enjoying live down here in the bayou, with great food, exciting culture, and smokin’ hot music! We have plenty of food and love visitors. Come on down!”
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Dave and Judy Maharrey That’s it for this installment. Next time Bob Colella is up at bat. Respectfully, your assistant Scribe, Lawrence Cooper. John & Carolyn Sammartino 3107 Woods Cove Lane Woodbridge, VA 22192 H: (703) 492-5492 W: (703) 808-6234 jsammar@verizon.net
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Hi again ’87. Hope all is well in your part of the world! Starting off this issue with the announcement of several of our classmates getting confirmed by the Senate for their second star—way to go everyone! Included in this group are Tom Deale, currently the Director of Operations at Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA; Tim Fay, the Deputy Director, Current Operations, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations at the Pentagon; Joseph Guastella, Deputy Director, Requirements, J-8 Joint Staff at the Pentagon; Scott Howell, the Deputy Director for Special Operations, J-37 Joint Staff at the Pentagon; Tom Sharpy, the Vice Commander at 18th Air Force, Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, IL and Sarah Zabel, Sabre Society Donors the Director, Cyberspace Strategy and Policy, Office of Information Dominance and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon. Another General on the move is BJ Shwedo who was recently selected for reassignment from the Director, Capability and Resource Integration, J-8, Headquarters United States Cyber Command, Fort George G. Meade, MD to Commander, 25th Air Force, Air Combat Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX. Congrats BJ!
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Pat Jameson, Jan Tavrytzky, Vinnie Savino, and his goatee.
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Heard from Jay Tung who said: “We were on vacation a few years ago and happened to be at West Point for their practice R (reception) day so the kids were acting as incoming plebes for the upperclassmen to practice. They received RMOs from the Comm for traveling the farthest (pic attached). MaryLee (Hyndman ‘88) and I were burning time waiting on the boys. Strangely enough, the boys had just finished sports camps at USAFA a week prior. The Hudson High experience didn’t take; our oldest is finishing his Doolie year with the Class of 2018 and looking forward to AM 490 first period.” He also said that John Ehrhart’s son is also in that class. Picture is from a “spirit mission” as Jay put it!
Tom Sadlo thomas.sadlo@gmail USAFA88Scribe@gmail.co (240) 427-8453
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Greetings “Best to date!” Not many notes sent to the email inbox, but our class Facebook page is staying busy! For those who aren’t aware of or on our class Facebook page it’s: https://www.facebook. com/groups/USAFAClassOf1988/. I heard from George “Buster” Stamper, who is in charge of our class gift…”I’m in Tampa now, but may be returning to COS soon. Although we’re a year off our original plan we are not necessarily behind -- we have some time to get it underway before our 30th.” He’s contacting the original committee members, Rob, Sabre Society Matt, James and Marty, to see if they’d like to pick up Donors where they left off. Please get in touch with Buster if you’re interested in helping. Our class president, Jeff Hunt (if you forgot), says hello and said he’s retired and living in Illinois. Mary Ann (Dolan) Staring and Stacy McNutt spent time traveling in Spain this past January and had a blast! Paul Young is flying for United and living just out the North gate. The following are excerpts from our Facebook page:
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Jay Tung John Pegg checked in via email that he is “still a single dad living in Miami, Flying at FedEx as a senior MD-11 F/O, and busy raising his son Alex (17) and stepson Jonathan (16), also both champion triathletes, winning or medaling in every triathlon they race. Once the boys go off to college, John plans on going back to the left seat, continuing to Tri, and traveling as much as possible. And in the next Tri, John will try to remember his running shoes, because running in loafers is NOT recommended!” Agree with that John; can we look for you at the next Hawaii Ironman Tri?!
Dave Briar, BG Tim Gibson, and Kip Turain at the AOG networking event on the USS New Jersey. (Dave’s moving to Alaska this May.) From Bill Brown: “Ran into Karen Goonan Blouin at a Patent Law Conference in Los Angeles. Nice surprise to see a fellow ‘88er. Karen’s practicing patent law near Chicago.”
John Pegg Jack Sundstrom also did a quick touch-and-go into DC from Minnesota with his new business partners to “defrost” from the brutal winter, and we spent a fun evening in Foggy Bottom reminiscing and making plans to hit the college World Series in June in Omaha. If anyone is out that way from 13-24 June, maybe we will see you there! We have tickets for Games 9 and 10 currently. Jack’s father was a long-time high school baseball coach in Minnesota, and if he is feeling up to it, may make the trip also! FYI David Hollenbach has started filling in for Ez Vance at the Class Senate meetings since they are held in Colorado Springs at USAFA. We will be posting the minutes via Facebook so if you are interested, take a look at the class of ’87 Facebook page. And don’t forget to check out the AOG website at www.usafa.org for all the latest AFA news! That’s about it for this cycle, as always keep the inputs coming and fly safe ’87!
Visit the AOG Web Site. Gone But Not Forgotten, Merchandise and more! www.usafa.org
Bill and Karen From Geoffrey Gibbs: Ran into Jeff Miller at Columbus where Jeff’s instructing as a Reservist. (See photo at the top of the next page.) On April 23rd he was going into his final out processing for retirement “…and who would I run into at the MPF but Col (Ret) John “Yoda” Pierce! He retired last week and on terminal leave but stepping right in to a faculty position at AU! Great seeing you Yoda!” Mark DiPaolo: “Bumped into Kevin Schneider at the Pentagon a few
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Next, how cool is it one of our classmates is currently orbiting 200+ miles overhead as the commander of the International Space Station? Our own Terry Virts recently took command of Expedition 43 aboard the ISS. Not only is he braving the last frontier in pursuit of science, he is also the “man on the ground” per se for one of our nation’s most important cooperative efforts with Russia. In these difficult times for US-Russia relations, the importance of his role is only magnified. If you aren’t following Terry on at least one of the various social media outlets he is posting on from aboard the ISS, you are missing out. Terry even managed to smuggle an ’89-emblazened USAFA pennant into orbit. We are proud of you, Terry!
Geoffrey Gibbs and Jeff Miller months ago. No surprise; he’s a Brigadier General (no surprise...I’m not!). Great to see you Kevin!” Paul Malenke: “Just bumped into Mr Todd Tofaute at Sacramento Intl Apt. He’s a SW Capt and says hello to everyone!!” Malinda Seagraves and Congresswoman Martha McSally “rappelled down the side of a 17-story building in Tucson on 28 March. It was pretty awesome! The view was amazing!” And from Michael Miller: “File this post under ‘Classmate Sighting.’ Headed home from a conference in Miami on 16 April, a gentleman says ‘Are you Mike Miller from the class of ‘88? I’m Elman Myers.’ And thus began a heartwarming conversation between Miami to DFW! I thoroughly enjoy random encounters with my fellow USAFA grads!” Kip Turain sent this to us all: I had the pleasure of reuniting with some classmates while in Florida. My Aunt and Uncle met Father Pete Zalewski after one of their church services in Tallahassee, FL. Upon hearing the last name “Turain”, Pete made the connection and we enjoyed dinner at my Aunt/Uncle’s house a short month later! Hearing Pete’s stories about his roles and responsibilities associated with the Church, I’d say he also performs the equivalent of a City Manager, Facilities Agent, Personnel Specialist, etc... and, oh yea, his pastoral commitments, too! Also hooked up with Col Dave Lange, Brig Gen Tim Gibson, and Col Brad Graff at a Director of Mobility Forces Course at Hurlburt Field, FL. Dave is stationed in Korea as a US Transportation Command Liaison Officer, Brig Gen Gibson is the Vice Commander at USAF Expeditionary Center (USAF EC) at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL), and Brad is the Air Mobility Division Chief at the 601st Air Operations Center at Tyndall AFB, FL. As always, a shout out to my Zoomie Roomie, Dave Argyle, who continues to fly with Southwest Airlines and serves as a SOUTHCOM Joint Operations Center Director. Lastly, after 3 years at JB MDL as the USAF EC Director of Operations & Plans, the Turain family is taking a post as AF ROTC Det/ CC at Colorado State University in Ft Collins this summer. We’re “house rich and cash poor” but the door is open anytime for friends! Everyone is invited to the retirement party in 2018! All my best to fellow ‘88ers and their families. Wishing you all the best! Tom Stephen N. Whiting 4806 Spaatz Loop Las Vegas, NV 89115 (719) 359-3517 swhiting@aol.com Class Facebook group: http:// www.facebook.com/group. php?gid=43101356987
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Mike and Auline Pratt with their six children.
Mighty Fine ’89ers! Let’s start this quarter’s update by giving a welldeserved shout out to Paul Tibbets! First, Paul has been writing this column for our class for 26 years now. Yep, virtually every quarter since we graduated (104 quarters total!), Paul has taken the time to write about the goings on of our great class so we can all stay connected. This quarter, he’s off at CAPSTONE which gives all of us the opportunity to say thanks to Paul for so ably and selflessly serving as the class scribe for all these many years. Second, Sabre Society if you haven’t heard, the Air Force recently announced Donors Paul’s next assignment will be as the commander of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, leading the active duty Airmen who operate, maintain, and support the nation’s arsenal of B-2 bombers. The 509th is the very same unit his grandfather, Brig Gen (Ret) Paul W. Tibbets, Jr., stood up back in 1944. Congrats, Paul and Angelle!
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Terry Virts onboard the International Space Station (nice pennant!). Mike Platt’s wife, Auline, provided an update on their post-Air Force career. Mike retired in 2013 as a Colonel, following his last assignment as the commander of AFRL’s Rocket Lab at Edwards AFB. Since retirement, he’s now a full-time math teacher/football coach/tennis coach at Highland High School in Albuquerque, NM (where Mike gets to teach one of his sons, Seth, AP Calculus). Mike and Auline are currently in the process of building a new home in the International District, an underprivileged neighborhood directly north of Kirtland’s Louisiana gate, as part of their commitment to live where they serve. As you can see in the photo, they are busy with six kids at home, plus they are taking care of both of their mothers! Great to hear from you, Mike and Auline.
Doug Malone and his wife, Jacqui, have started a unique benefit for the class by serving as excellent dinner companions for classmates who find themselves in the Suffolk, VA, area. I was there in February at the Joint Staff J7’s training facility, and I randomly bumped into Doug in the hallways. He graciously invited me out to eat with them that very evening, so we got to spend a few hours over excellent Italian food getting caught up. Doug is doing great things in his post-Air Force career helping the Joint and Allied team get better at air-to-ground integration, and Jacqui is now a teacher at Tabb High School. And as you can see from the picture, they were equally as generous with their time when Paul Tibbets was in Suffolk
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in April. So, if you are going to be in the Suffolk area, you know who to call… Great to spend time with you, Doug and Jacqui.
Paul Tibbets enjoys the good company of Jacqui and Doug Malone in Suffolk, VA. Well, we’ll close there for this quarter. So keep those updates and pictures coming. God bless. Mike Shepherd 3801 Derby Circle Quartz Hill, CA 93536 (661) 266-2133 michael.j.shepherd@hotmail.com
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Greetings MGC! Lot’s to update in advance of our 25-year reunion in October! First off Louis De Felice commissioned a barrel or two of bourbon especially for the reunion. If you haven’t ordered a bottle or two yet we may
CS-13 at the San Diego State-AF Game. Steve Brandt, Sam Svitenko, Lo De Felice, Mark Weatherington and Dan Wisenant.
still have some come the reunion. Louis checked in with the following: “In a selfless act of class unity, five of us from CS-13 met in San Diego for the San Diego State-AF game to discuss strategic plans for the reunion “Sam Svitenko is still in the USAFR and living in San Clemente with two girls with Laurie (Maher class of ’91). Dan “Wiz” Wisenant is living in Redondo Beach while running his real estate empire, visiting his father who keeps winning WNBA championships, and playing poker with Tanya Roberts of Beastmaster and other films. Steve Brandt retired a year ago and just moved back to the Academy with Lisa and 6 kids... the other son is a junior and proud Bulldawg at the Zoo. Mark Weatherington had just finished charm school as our class’s first BGen, which simply meant he had to continually distance himself from the antics of the rest of us! He and his wife, Stef, and kids are back at Pentagon. I got to visit with my oldest of 5 who is near Sam at Chapman University in hopes of being an actor. I have a small healthcare IT company in Evanston, IL and after a VERY long break in service re-commissioned in the USAFR with the 711th Human Performance Wing at WPAFB. My wife and I live in Kenilworth, IL -- if anyone comes through give us a shout. On other spottings, Donnie Hanks is in Sabre Society Dallas living the dream with his son in the USAF and Donors daughter in ROTC. Brian ‘Trash’ Hastings is currently the Wing Commander down at Laughlin, and is PCSing to Maxwell this summer.” Another proud parent is Bill Harris who told me about the recent appointment of his son Ben to USAFA who reports in June for the class of 2019. Bill sent his first update to Checkpoints ever! “I was a Civil Engineer officer on active duty from 90-98, then an IMA from 982012. Promoted to Colonel in 2008 and retired in 2012. Now I own my own lawn-care business here just outside of Atlanta. I’m married to Amy Taylor and have 3 sons (Jake, Ben, Zac) and a stepdaughter (Alexis).” Another IMA, Karen Bosko, had this to say: “Gave up command and finally pinned on 06 in February and started new job at USSOCOM as the IMA to J6. Will be doing the coast-to-coast commute a few times a year from San Francisco to pull my Reserve duty. Hope to see some familiar faces at MacDill!” Although I’ve already mentioned one of my roommates (W-ton) in this article (I try to keep to just one) I did get a great update from another that I just have to share. Matt Hurley found me on-line with this update
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Matt and Anne Hurley in their finest Highland attire. “Shep, I retired as of 1 January -- Happy New Year to us! Anne and I are first-time home owners in the Columbus, Ohio area; we’re still moving in and getting used to the place, but I’m also doing some remote moonlighting for the Mitchell Institute for Airpower Studies. Still and all, retirement rocks, and I’m thrilled to be done with the Beltway Beatings.” Matt is our erstwhile airpower historian, and is presenting a paper on the Vietnam War in Austin, and is researching Portugal’s air war in Africa in the 60s and 70s. Always an interesting conversation with Matt when I hear from him! Tim MacGregor posted a great UPT video from one of the latest classes on our Facebook site—he is making us all jealous as the Operations Group Commander at Laughlin where he is a T-6 IP but also moonlights in the T-38 and T-1. Want to be really jealous?! Tim is PCSing this summer to his second consecutive O6 flying job at Randolph on the AETC staff and will continue to fly the T-6. Some guys have all the luck! Kevin Roots let me know that our star basketball athlete Ray Dudley was inducted very deservedly into the USAFA Hall of Fame. Ray is the all-time leading scorer in school history for men’s basketball with 2,178 points. He became the all-time scorer during his junior season and is one of just two players in school history to surpass the 2,000-point mark. Ray is the lone player in Academy history to lead the team in scoring all four years and was the team’s most valuable player all four years. Congratulations Ray! Congratulations are also in order for our latest crop of one-stars! The
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Class News Brigadier General list was published and 1990 was well-represented. From the official press release we find the following ’90 grads: Col. Kevin A. Huyck, commander, 1st Fighter Wing, Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis. Col. James A. Jacobson, division chief, program integration, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management, and comptroller, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon. Col. Darren V. James, deputy director, operations and plans, Headquarters U.S. Transportation Command, Scott AFB. Col. Kevin B. Kennedy, commander, 28th Bomb Wing, Air Combat Command, Ellsworth AFB. Col. Carl E. Schaefer, special assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force and Air Force Chief of Staff for Joint Strike Fighter Integration, Office of the Air Force Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon. Col. John E. Shaw, commander, 21st Space Wing, Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB. Col. Brad M. Sullivan, special assistant to the commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB. Col. Paul A. Welch, deputy director, air, space and cyberspace operations, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB. Cheryl Beineke is helping with our reunion. For those who have yet to mark your calendars it is the weekend of Oct 22-25 and the Falcons will be playing Fresno State. Mighty 90!--Flash
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Carson Tavenner 7216 W. Country Club Drive Arlington, WA 98223 (301) 367-8969 Tavenner@hotmail.com
Members
Angie (Wallace) Suplisson and Nate Smith received Aero Engineering doctorates at the end of March! Congratulations, both! They received their diplomas from the Secretary of the Air Force. Angie writes “It was wonderful to go through the program with Nate for mutual support. Bold Golder Doug Lewis was there as AFIT faculty too!! Thank you to our families for their tremendous support these last 3 years.” We will hopefully be hearing more from both these classmates soon. This column is mostly impacted by the fact that I’ve Sabre Society recently been on a lot of travel, which has both allowed Donors me to see a number of classmates but also has kept me off the social media for much in the way of other information. I really enjoyed getting to catch up – after 20 years+ -- with my roommate Don Yu and to meet his wife, Erika, and son Hunter after all these years of not getting to cross paths. Don and I roomed together for the last two years of our Academy experience. Don is living northeast of Ft Worth and flying regularly for
UPS. Everyone seems to be having a great time and being nearby Don’s parents and family helps a lot.
“I was so amazed to finally hear of many of Don’s U-2 exploits. What experiences he’s had!” Earlier that week I gave a short speech at Dallas Theological Seminary, where I’d been invited by George Fritts to come talk about what I’m doing on the ministry front, and during that visit I got to see Mike Hogue as well! I do believe that may be the highest concentration of USAFA classmates to have been at DTS at the same time, though I don’t know for sure. In conjunction with the campus’ 90th anniversary celebration, we couldn’t let that stand for long. George planned a fun “spirit mission” for us to let everyone see our Bold Gold pride! It was great to see you, George and Mike! All the best to you as you pursue your new career paths as well.
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Suited up with Air Force Blue to show off our Bold Gold spirit! George, left, and Mike, center, are studying to become real servant leaders. Colleen (Lester) McCrary has been doing great social work for our class with hosting two separate Bold Gold dinners in the Colorado Springs area. They are decently attended, though I’m sure there are many who have not shown who’d like to. I was glad to have made the second one at the end of March while I was out in Colorado for a number of different meetings, during which Matt Lasley and I got reacquainted after all these years. Matt and I had the same sponsor, Ellie Wilkerson – she was a great servant to hundreds of cadets over the years. He and I shared many memories and thoughts of her later years. I hope to see more of you at the next one! During that same trip I was very happy to stop in and get a great evening of conversation with the amazing family of Art and Gina Romero; their kids are all doing so well. We all seemed to enjoy a nice evening of conversation. Wish I could see them more often! Having just returned last night from China (where I met no Bold Golders; surprise, surprise) I’ve realized how late I am on getting this input to the editors, so I’m cutting this short without going onto the social media pages. Normally there is a wealth of information there. I have been routinely pleased to see a number of announcements of children, weddings, retirements and graduations – so if you’re curious, go check out the class FB page and get LinkedIn. My own daughter, Bethany, graduates this month and will be attending Baylor in Waco, Texas. Then my wife, Wendy, and I will be facing the empty nest! Bittersweet. How many of you will also be empty nesters this fall? Signing out for now, Carson.
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James S. Mehta 3802 Elbert Ave. Alexandria, VA 22305 james.mehta@us.af.mil jamesmehta@earthlink.net
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Another May means another USAFA graduation. As another class is added to the Long Blue Line, our class notes move closer to the front of Checkpoints. It is a non-stop march in time… I’m just glad we don’t feel any older. It’s amazing that Lieutenant Colonels, Colonels, and anyone in their mid-forties used to seem old to us, because that’s us now, but we certainly aren’t old. We’re just getting better with time. Anyway, enough of that, I received a few emails, but not a lot… put this magazine down right now and send me a note. Scanning my inbox. Elaine (Riley) Sersun and I had lunch together at the Pentagon a few weeks back. She was on her annual Reserve tour with SAF/AQI doing PEM work for AFLCMC programs. Elaine is married to Doug Sersun (‘91) and has a daughter (17) and a son (14). Her “real” job is in El Segundo, CA where she is the Vice President of the Western Region for Quantech Services, Inc. Quantech is a small business providing A&AS professional consulting services (acquisition/program management, systems engineering, and financial management services) to the DoD, specifically at Space and Missile Systems Center (LA AFB & Peterson AFB CO), Sabre Society Donors Hanscom AFB, WP AFB (Dayton, OH), MDA (Huntsville, AL), and the NCR. She has been with Quantech since 2008 and has interviewed many separating and retiring officers. It’s that time in many of our careers and Elaine has kindly offered to talk to any classmates about transition regardless of if you’re interested in working for Quantec. For example, she has been interviewing transitioning officers for 7 years, and has a good idea about how to present information in a resume and what a realistic salary can be achieved after the AF. If you’re starting to think about the transition, call Elaine or send her your resume as she is a wealth of information and you’ll be glad you did. You can find her contact info on Quantec’s website. Elaine and Doug also own the El Segundo Athletic Club which is Doug’s post-retirement project. It’s been a few years since I’ve heard from Donna (Ward) Boyce. After working at Andrews AFB as the 11th Wing IG, she retired and worked at Ft. Belvoir for a year as an Army instructor. Since then, she has been working for the Army G-2 in the Pentagon overseeing threat intelligence support to Army acquisition programs. She and her family like to go wine tasting around the region and take in events in the DC area like the Shakespeare Theater Company, the Maryland Renn Fest, and DC ComicCon known as AwesomeCon. Even her kids get into it. Donna added that Anne Clark is the Exec for the AF’s Chief Scientist and lurking around the halls of the Pentagon. Brian Porter is currently the AFDW Chief of Safety over at Andrews and Mike Reschke is planning to retire this year, after a stint instructing for the Army Command & Staff College.
her to Osan to be the 7 AF Director of ISR (A2). On the move again this summer, she’ll be leaving for Alaska (JB Elmendorf-Richardson) to take over an ISR Group -- her fourth move since 2012! She mentioned a few other classmates in Korea: Brook Leonard is graduating from Wing CC (51FW) and Brian Carr is his Vice. Gone but not forgotten. In March, I got an email from the AOG that Scott Hines passed away on 21 Feb 2015 in Palm Springs, CA. In a past column, I wrote that Scott was a former Mayor and City Councilman of Rancho Mirage, CA. It’s always a sad day to hear of one of our own passing. Scott leaves behind family, including 4 children. Here’s a toast… All that’s left are my own updates. As my family and I wrap up another Pentagon assignment and head for the sunny islands of Hawaii, I continue to see many of you around. I got a visit from good friend Steve Wolf. Steve was promoted to Colonel in the Marines last year and is now taking command of the School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune. He just finished a year at Naval War College in Rhode Island and was doing pre-command training at Quantico. It was great to see him as he made his way up into the beltway for dinner with us. I’m currently TDY in Germany and will spend a day with Bob Seifert and his family next week. They are finishing up 4 great years in Germany and heading to Hurlburt Field in Florida for Amy’s next assignment. Not sure what’s in store in Florida for retiree Bob. I’m sure I’ll find out when we have a beer together.
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James and Steve. Oh, and go ahead and laugh; my wife already did when she commented on our matching shirts… See you around. Take the time to pause every once in a while to ponder the amazing things that the Class of 1992 is doing in the world. Then take another moment to share it with the rest of us. I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you and bumping into you somewhere soon. True Blue. James.
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Michael D. Sundsted 1805 Macadams Place Alexandria, VA 22308 (202) 814-8746 Michael.sundsted@whmo.mil
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I hope all is great in your world! Thanks so much to those who provided updates for this letter. I heard from many who have never checked in for Checkpoints—great to hear from you! Our class gift committee working along with the USAFA Endowment established a sustaining fund program that will supplement the National Character and Leadership Symposium (NCLS) budget by annually bringing the Outstanding Airman of the Year (OAY) to the Academy to participate in panels that allows cadets to interact with these AF-wide leaders. OAY winners will bring valuable and very relevant insight to cadets preparing them for active duty leadership roles. One thing to note is that the USAFA Endowment Sabre Society Donors does not take any administrative fees, so 100% of the funds goes toward our class gift. Our first year of financial support for the NCLS panel will be 2018 to coincide with our 25-year class reunion. We are currently engaging squadron reps who volunteered to help. Our reps will be reaching out to their squadron mates in the upcoming months. Some squadrons have multiple volunteers, so if you want to volunteer and have not contacted us yet just let us know. Specifically, we could use additional volunteers for
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Donna and Don Boyce at the Smithsonian Gala. Suzy Streeter is on the move once again. She wrote me a while back from CYBERCOM, but she only stayed there 11 months before DPO sent
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the following squadrons: 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 30, 31, 32, 35, 39, and 40. Some classmates have already contributed. If you are ready to make a contribution to the class gift, you can go to web address: usafa.org/give/ 93ncls. This link can be used for one-time gifts, monthly, quarterly or annual recurring gifts. Thanks for your support and on to the updates. Jeff Veyera checks in from Richmond, VA. He, his wife, three children and two cats moved from Charlotte to Richmond. Jeff left the Bank of America to become a Director of Process Engineering for Owens and Minor, a top healthcare logistics company. James “Grif” Griffin is heading to Creech AFB, NV this summer to be the 799th Air Base Group Commander. He was promoted to Colonel in February (congrats!) and is currently working as a Division Chief in the Pentagon. Tom Hermel checked in as well and is making one final move to the homeland… Minnesota. He is retiring in August! Safe move and thanks for the great service! Rob Dam writes from Colorado where he retired from the USAF in November. Rob was a professor in the Management Department. Rob will be bringing his professor talents to University of Colorado in Boulder as a finance faculty starting this fall. He and his wife, Christa, and children (Case and Reef ) will more than likely be moving soon. Rob has been a huge asset to our class as one of our representatives on the AOG Senate as well as ensuring we are on the right track with our 1993 Class Gift Campaign. Thanks and Best wishes Rob! Kelly McJoynt is still in Colorado Springs working at Air Force TENCAP doing a lot of C-UAV work and really misses the flying. He and his wife are great friends and in close communication with Troy and Dana Harting. Troy is a newly appointed Department Head at USAFA. Kelly attended the ceremony—pictures please!!! Congrats Troy! Mike Fowler writes that he couldn’t have imagined it as a cadet, but he has found his way back to our alma mater where he teaches in the Military Sciences department. Rob “Venom” Barker is a first-time writer and updates us that he is retiring from active duty this summer and planning to move to the Dayton, OH area. He hopes to be in a civil service position at Wright-Patterson beginning work in September. He has been married for 16 years to wonderful wife, Debbie (sister of a great friend in the class of ’92, Karen Blaine). Rob and Debbie have 2 children, Eli (6th grade) and Anna Karen, (4th grade). He has two great friends who are ’92 grads that are in Dayton as well, Bill McGuffey and John Hutton. Duncan Stuart is doing great things for USAFA. He just founded a new technology start-up called Maxletics which facilitates amateur sports sponsorships and fundraising. Former USAFA Superintendent, Lt Gen Mike Gould, is assisting on the management team. Duncan recently ran into Eldrick Hill who also lives in Colorado Springs. He retired from the Air Force and is now a financial planner and an assistant coach at Pine Creek High School (state champions by the way! Big E, I remember when you were a great football player from CS-39—CONGRATS!) Lastly, Duncan has been active with FalconWorks, a non-profit R&D of USAFA that develops technologies to help the disabled. Pete Gbelia is currently working for a School Feeding Project in Liberia as you read this article. He still lives in Phoenix and flies out of LAX for Alaska Airlines. He does work with the AZ ANG at Davis Monthan AFB flying drones. He is founder of SJedi Green Energy. If you would like to help in his efforts for the school feeding project, you may go to www.sjedi. org and contact him. Bill Williams and wife, Tawni, with baby boy Beckett (11 months) are now living in Dusseldorf, Germany for 2-4 years. Bill is a 757 Captain with FedEx. He retired from the AF in 2013 where he served 10 years on active duty and 10 years in the ANG. If you are near Dusseldorf drop him a call/email!
Bill, Tawni and Beckett Williams in Dusseldorf, Germany.
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Jerry Siegel writes from Colorado where he has just been hired to fly Airbus 320s for United. (CONGRATULATIONS!) He will be based out of Houston for a while. Also, Jeremy is hanging up his Senatorial shoes on the AOG Senate and is interested in passing the torch. If you are in Colorado Springs or near USAFA and want to be a part of the AOG Senate, please let us know.
Jeremy Siegel in a graduation photo for Airbus 320 training, United Airlines. Jimmy “Finch” Sparrow just finished up C-17 Instructor requalification at Altus AFB, OK and will be leaving Washington DC to be the Deputy Wing Commander at Elmendorf AB, AK. Sarah and Finch will be in the final frontier with their son Zak in his 3rd degree year at USAFA (Class of 2017). Wow… that makes me feel real old Shelley Strong writes and informs us that she is retiring in June. Donna (Vines) Turner will be the presiding officer. Shelley’s husband, Todd, is remaining on active duty which means we get to PCS from San Antonio this summer back to Washington, D.C. Shelley attended Chris Wyckoff’s pin-on ceremony to Colonel. Also in attendance were Bobby Nelson and Pat Sanders. Will Thomas updates us that he is thoroughly enjoying serving as Chairman and interim CEO of Marketplace Chaplains, the largest chaplain organization outside the US military, serving over 650 public and private companies across the US and in several foreign countries. Will has kept in touch with Matt Kenworthy, who is flying with Southwest Airlines. Will and Matt are planning a mission trip to Costa Rica with their teenage boys. Thanks for the great update! Please check out the 1993 class gift campaign. Cheers—Mike. Craig Allen 85 Quail Creek Drive Del Rio, TX 78840 H: 830-313-7089 C: 660-864-5374 kegsdoolittle@yahoo.com
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Summer ‘15. Things are heating up here in Texas and the ‘94 news heated up this spring as well. Thanks to all those who helped refresh the news flow. First up, I heard from Will Kelley all the way from Seoul, South Korea. He said he has been living there with his family for a couple years now working for a civilian company. Will is also an AF Reservist at USFK/ J4. His great looking family is pictured on a recent vacation to Vietnam – wife, Mary, daughters Marley (21), Brenna (12) and son Duncan (14). I remarked to Will that it appears his young son is already taller than him! Will said he stays in touch with Tom Fry, Jim Chrisley, Matt Sufnar (which
The Kelleys in Vietnam.
didn’t surprise me... the old CS-22 crew) and Kurt Gordon. He also said he met up with Trey Chastain over there, while Trey was stationed at Kadena. Trey just made Col and got assigned to Ramstein. Congrats Trey and congrats Will. Sounds like things are going great for the Kelley family on the ROK. Will said that if anyone is ever in Seoul to hit him up. Mike “Cranny” Cranston sent me an update following the glorious Super Bowl weekend. Mike was with Jesse Hernandez at Jesse’s mom’s house where he said he witnessed the “lamest call in all of football history.” Sabre Society I assume he was referring to the Seahawks decision Donors to pass the ball on the goal line, right before the most awesome interception in history. Cranny said he was out on a trip that weekend. He flies for Landry’s seafood and he was in Dallas to pick up the guest speaker for a Landry’s conference in Las Vegas. That guest speaker was none other than the former President, George W. Bush. Cranny said it was an honor and privilege to be able to fly “43” around that week. Cranny has obviously retired and moved on to the good life as a corporate pilot. He said they live in a nice area on the north side of Houston, which he refers to as “the bubble”, because he said everything they need is within a couple mile radius of their house and they never have to go far outside the bubble. Thanks for the update Cranny.
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Two Great Americans! Jason Harrison wrote me from Memphis. He flies for FedEx and lives there with his wife, Kelly, and son Charlie. Jason said he is a 777 First Officer and that he is also in the Memphis ANG flying C-17s. Nice combo. He said he runs into a few other ‘94 guys at FedEx on a regular basis -- Matt Pasco, Greg McCleary and Todd Hudgins. Jason said he recently met up with Jason Towns who was at the FBO in Memphis after buying another airplane for his skydiving business in Corpus Christi, TX. J. Towns has two little girls now and also flies in the C-5 Reserve unit at Lackland AFB, TX. I’ve seen some cool pics of J. Towns on FB... he’s living out the Point Break adrenaline junkie lifestyle jumping out of planes. Thomas “Klondike” Moore sent me an update from Bozeman, MT. He retired last summer, moved home to Montana and he and his wife, Tara, got jobs there. Klondike is now a project manager with Oracle and Tara is back at her Alma Mater, Montana State, as the Director of Emergency Management. He said they built their dream home there and are raising two teenage daughters with their family and friends all nearby. He also said that Casa Klondike is now open for guests for hiking, fishing, biking or skiing trips up to God’s Big Sky Country. Sounds awesome up there... thanks for the update.
Another Montana update was from Rob Calderon, where he lives with his wife, Laura, in Kalispell. Rob is an orthopedic surgeon there. The update I got was a selfie of Rob and Laura during the NCAA basketball tournament entitled “House divided.” Laura from Gonzaga and Rob was for Duke (where he went to a year of med school). Rob’s side prevailed. Great to hear from you. We have a trend of updates from ‘94 grads that are now in their post-AF careers. Keeping with that trend, I’ve established a retirement date later this year. Terminal leave this summer, so Colleen and I will be moving on to the civilian sector. I was recently at a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) class at Randolph AFB. Two other ‘94 grads were in the class. Christine Rilovick was retiring from her assignment at Randolph as the 19th AF/CC’s exec. She said she planned to move to San Diego and use her GI Bill to attend a commercial flight school. Also there was from Shaw AFB was Bill Dobbs, who planned to retire and move to the corporate sector. Thanks for all the updates this time... if you’ve made a career change, or if you’ve never sent me an update, shoot me an email and let me know what you’re up to. Have a great summer -- Kegger.
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Members Andrea Themely andrea.themely@gmail.com
Happy Summer, ’95! As I write this, reunion plans are in full swing for this fall. Here is an update from Tara Sweeney, our Class Vice President and the reunion coordinator: “Please clear your schedules for September 10-13, 2015, for our class reunion! All information is available at: http:// usafa.org/Reunion/1995 and through our Facebook page: “USAFA Class of 1995-20 Year Reunion.” And you can always contact me at 702-808-7724. I can attest that our reunion committee is working diligently to create a wicked awesome weekend for us all, so I hope you are planning to join the celebration. It is Homecoming weekend, so we’ll be a part of the Wing’s effort Sabre Society to honor our fallen friends. Plus, we have some great Donors ideas in the works to break the mold of traditional reunion activities. So, please, come back to USAFA so we can celebrate together!” One classmate who will unfortunately won’t be there is Kjell Lindgren. He sent me an update: “I’m about to leave for low earth orbit. I launch from Kazakhstan on May 26th at 1446 CDT. I’ll spend 6 months on the International Space Station (which means I’m going to miss our class reunion).” I think we might be able to Skype with him on the ISS during our reunion so stay tuned…hope we get to say hi! And congratulations Kjell—that is such an amazing accomplishment and we are all so proud of you. That’s what I call Keeping the Pride!
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Astronaut Kjell Lindgren and his family before his journey to the International Space Station.
Casa Klondike
I heard from Bonnie (Cox) Paquin who sent a photo from her “office”… she and Brian Sciantarelli might be the first two ’95 grads to fly together in the B737 for Southwest Airlines! It was a UPT reunion for them and they had fun catching up. Bonnie’s husband, Chuck, just finished a command tour with the Navy and they are enjoying life in Mississippi with their two boys!
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Brian Sciantrelli and Bonnie (Cox) Paquiin keeping the pride for Southwest Airlines. Paul Jones also wrote with a photo from Djibouti and an update on ’95ers in the B-1 community. Paul retires this July from the B-1 FTU at Dyess -- congrats! Jeff Haynes also just retired this past spring and moved to Montana with his wife, Joanna. Other ’95 grads in the B-1 include Jason Sanderson and Jennifer Rollins (both at Ellsworth), and Tony Nishimura, currently an ROTC commander at the University of North Dakota. Also big news for many others that are leaving the Air Force with their retirement orders! Congratulations to all of our classmates headed to Delta Airlines to fly: Jon Tinsley, who was in class with Clay Tebbe and Dave Cobb, all headed to MD-88s, Bryan Patchen, Matt Callow, and James Frickel. There are probably more since Delta is hiring about 1,000 new pilots this year. Also retiring this year are Chris Buckley, Francis Miller, Brian Murphy, Kevin and Susan Magaletta, Trevor Benitone, Gordon Hunter, Scott Morris, and Chris McMartin. I’m sure there are many more retirees so please send me updates on your post-retirement career plans and I will post them in the next Checkpoints! Also awesome news for all the ’95 grads that just got picked up for O-6. There were many! Congratulations to Rich Carrell, Jeff Alexander, Jason Beers, Aaron Drake, Glenn Harris, Travis Koch, Jeff Kronewitter, Jason Lamb, Craig Lucey, Jason Bailey, Bill Betts, Mark Sotallaro, Rhet Turnbull, Doug Wickert, Richard Fletcher, Michael Miller, Joseph Dingman, and Dee Katzer. If I missed your name let me know and I’ll post it in the next issue. Some of our classmates graduated from Senior Developmental Education this summer and will be moving on to other assignments: from JAWS, Lisa (Varacins) Nemeth is headed to STRATCOM and Halsey Burks will be working for NORTHCOM. From Air War College this summer are Otis Jones who is headed to NORTHCOM/J5, Phil Acquaro to EUCOM, Max Weems to SHAPE Belgium, Mark Mullarkey to SOCCOM/J3, Paul Brezinski to AETC/SG, Shane Steinke to the 603d AOC in Ramstein, Travis Koch to ALCOM/J3 in Alaska, and John Groves as the Security Cooperation Chief in Honduras. That update came to me from Rhet Turnbull who was still awaiting his assignment as of press time… but Rhet also updated me on fellow Barnstormer Chuck Cosnowski who just relinquished command of the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron in Ali Al Salem, Kuwait. Congrats on an awesome command tour, Coz! Jamie (Dahlgren) Glover wrote… She and Matt Glover (’94) are living in Black Forest, CO. Matt is the interim head boxing coach for the USAFA Boxing Program and Boxing Team this year and took his team to the NCBA Boxing Nationals in April in Ft. Lauderdale. Matt retired from the Air Force in May, and Jamie is an independent contract family physician for University of Colorado Health Primary Care. Jamie plans to make a big job change this summer to try to fix the way primary care is done and how much it costs… thank goodness for that, because all of us will be paying a lot more money for our healthcare very soon when we are kicked out of TRICARE prime! Jamie will be part of a clinic with a Direct Primary Care (DPC) model. Good luck to you and we hope you help to enable the concept to catch on all over the country! Jeff Kronewitter gave me an update from CISA (College of International Security Assistance). He wrote that “it’s just Eric Grace (‘94) and I who represent the USAF as ‘Counterterrorism Fellows’ for SDE... the best thing we could say on school is that Eric and I have been challenging (and beating) National War College classmates in both soccer and volleyball... you know, the things that matter.” Jeff and Eric ran the Marine Corps Marathon this past fall along with Clarence Dunagan (who is out of the Air Force and living in Las Vegas as a full-time ER doctor) and Stu Martin, and enjoyed their Ultra-Light beer at the finish. Jeff also sent a Seagram’s 7 roommate reunion photo with Mark Piper at Jeff’s promotion selection party. Mark is already an O-6 and working in the HQ of the DC ANG after commanding an ANG fighter squadron. Also in attendance at the party were Andrea Kerkman (Miller) and Mike Miller (‘94). Andrea is still working in OSD Legislative Affairs and Mike has now
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Seagram’s 7 roommates Jeff Kronewitter and Mark Piper celebrate Jeff ’s O-6 promotion news! retired and crossed to the dark side to work the MILCON portfolio as a professional staffer in the House Armed Services Committee... not a bad gig when generals get you coffee. It’s called payback. Other updates from Jeff: Paul Morton and his wife, Rebekah, just finished up a 15-month round-the-world adventure that included Everest Base Camp, and are settling back into running a few urgent care clinics in the Denver area. Jeff Weeks thoroughly enjoyed snowy New England this year getting the whole family out to ski in Vermont while declaring success over knee surgery, and getting his 4- and 7-year-olds racing down the blue slopes! I heard from Bill Barrington, who is the Deputy Chief of the Capabilities Division in AF/A10 (Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration). Bill’s wife, Cathy, is finishing up National War College and was just selected for O-6. She is headed to J-33 on the Joint Staff. They are enjoying DC and attended the Concert for Valor on the National Capitol Mall, where they were invited to sit with Vice President Biden!
Bill and Cathy Barrington and their boys with Vice President Biden at the Concert for Valor. Bill has seen several other ’95ers in DC: Josh Hetsko, Jen Grant, Jeremy and Renae (Bartalone) Hilton, Glenn Harris, Amanda Steffey, and Chris Ingleton. He also saw Dave (’94) and Liz (May) Meggett in Monument, where they are enjoying retirement. Hope to see all of you at the reunion… I’m certain it will prove to be an incredible weekend! Until next time, keep the pride!
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Andi Vinyard andivinyard@yahoo.com andi.vinyard@us.af.mil
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Have you ever felt like a frog in a pot? As I type this it’s early April and I’m slowly watching the temps increase, then drop for a few days, and then another climb—you know the hot weather is coming and all you can do is take over/unders on when the first day over 100 degrees will be. As many of you know, the heat comes with a vengeance in the Middle East and the
humidity rivals that of southern Mississippi. By the time you read this I’ll have finished group command at the ‘Deid and will be in San Antonio working on the AETC/SG staff. It has truly been an incredible year—when we started this year we all thought it would be slow and combat ops would cease but quite the contrary; we are supporting another major operation and life in Qatar has been anything but slow… however, it’s time to see what’s next! I continue to see lots of grads and classmates cycle in and out of the AOR… Martin Daack is working in the Sabre Society CAOC/A3, Brad Hall pops in frequently from TRANSDonors COM, and I often saw Norm Vuchetich at the DFAC; unfortunately we didn’t connect until he redeployed. Norm is currently the 88 FTS ADO at Sheppard AFB and he, like many of the pilots in our class, have their eyes set on the airlines in the next couple of years. Mark “Guts” Garnet is another friendly face living in the Middle East. He’s currently working as a contract F-16 pilot and simulator instructor for the Royal Air Force of Oman. He’s been in Oman for 8 years and having a great time flying, playing drums in a local rock band, weekend SCUBA instructing, and camping on the beautiful beaches and deserts. He married his wife, Christina, on June 14th, 2014— they graduated from the same small high school in Vienna, Ohio, one year apart. Christina and the two dogs joined Mark in the Middle East and everyone is enjoying traveling and experiencing adventures with the other expats. On March 26th, he finally hit 1,000 hours in the F-16, and Christina was able to be there for the moment.
drews at the AF Office of Business Transformation as part of the Civilian Strategic Leader Program; Clay Freeman, who is currently accomplishing a Fellowship and will be moving this summer to be a Group Commander at Kadena; Jesse Friedel, who currently is working in the Force Application Division within J8 as part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon; and Erik Biebighauser, who is a government consultant and also has started his own Christmas Tree Farm.
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Roadrunner Mini Reunion Scott “JELLY” Howe checked in from the southern California desert where he lives with his wife and five kids. He recently started working at NASA-Armstrong (Edwards AFB) as a test pilot. Scott is currently flying the MQ-9, Global Hawk, T-34, and the King Air. When he’s not working for NASA, he’s a part-time MQ-9 instructor pilot with the California Air National Guard. In other exciting news, he is meeting up with Dave Irvin, Jason Hoskins, Harry Dyson, and Brett King for Jasin Cooley’s wedding in San Antonio over Memorial Day Weekend. Congrats Jasin! Until next time… I hope you all have a great summer. Keep sending me your updates, it’s great to catch up with everyone and see what we are all doing. If you are in San Antonio, would love to catch up over BBQ, margaritas, or Tex-Mex!
Melvin E. Maxwell, Jr. 4660 4th St. South Arlington, VA 22204 mel_maxwell97@hotmail.com melvin.e.maxwell2.mil@mail.mil
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Mark and Christina Garnet Pat Obruba just found out he’ll be moving from Tyndall AFB, where he’s worked at the Air Force Civil Engineering Center the past two years, to Air War College in Montgomery, AL this summer. Javier Ibarra is a special education teacher in Milwaukee, WI. Javier, thank you for continuing to serve our country in a very different, thankless way every day. Joe and Beth (Houston, ’98) Szucs live in Monument, CO. He is a full time Southwest Airlines pilot and traditional Guardsmen in the 172 Airlift Wing (C-17s) out of Jackson, MS (yikes! this is a significant commute). Beth is raising two awesome daughters and is a part-time AOG Constituent Engagement Manager. Tony Principi and his family moved from Maryland to Houston, TX in May 2014 so that Tony could accept the role of Director of Operations for Trees, Inc, a commercial vegetation management corporation. It’s been a great transition both personally and professionally. Valerie has enjoyed the new home and neighborhood, and the children, Elizabeth (9), Annie (7) and Anthony Jr. (3), love the new school and the competitive Texas sports.
(15 Sabre Society Donors) Greetings ‘97! As always, hope this update finds you well. A hearty congrats to the latest group of ’97er’s who were selected for promotion to O-6 this past February. After a quick perusal of the list, I recognized classmates Randall Ackerman, Dave Dengler, Jeff Geraghty, Bridget Gigliotti (Hall), Sloan Hollis, Ryan Keeney, Jeff Nelson, Jason Rueschhoff, Jim Smith, and Samantha Weeks (Glinski) all picking up below-the-zone selection. Congrats to all and anybody I might have omitted. Double congrats to Samantha who just got married this past Spring in Colorado (at the Commandant’s house!). Speaking of professional success -- as you might remember, Tanji Johnson has made quite a name for herself in the competitive fitness world
The Principi Family Jesse Friedel sent an update from a mini-Roadrunner reunion in the DC area. Those who got together were Scott Heritsch, who currently is working in the Force Protection Division within J8 as part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon; Amy (Graveley) Mallory, who is working at An-
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-- so much so, that the first-ever Tanji Johnson Classic competition will be held on June 20th in Olympia, WA. Talk about big time! Insert Photo 97-1: Tanji Johnson Classic poster. Saw a couple Bulldawgs this past quarter. I spent a few hours with Brett Lucas when his job with Pepsi brought him from Chicago to the DC area and we toured the Pentagon together. I also had a chance to get out to Hermosa Beach, CA for a quick weekend to join in on 40th birthday celebration for my Bulldawg roommate Brad Holtmeier. Brad’s wife, Jordan, pulled off a great surprise party. Among the usual suspects at the party were Alex Pupich, DJ Leary, Rusty Hoss, and Todd Eilers pictured below.
Happy 40th Brad Holtmeier (center). That’s all I have for this round. Until next time… Mel Patrick Fox One Crestwood Lane Hanover, NH 03755 Cell: (415) 599-9089 Office: (603) 643-8885 pfox@newenergycapital.com
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Sometimes it takes time to recognize one’s own behavior as a bit excessive or immature; for me it has taken years. As a firstie, we had a MTA in our squadron who I couldn’t help but torment. I knew just how to push his buttons and I took every opportunity to do so. All this would have been just fine, but almost every confrontation with the MTA ended up in our squadron commander, Rich Tanner, having to intervene. Rich would plead for me to keep my distance from the MTA, but I couldn’t help myself. As time has passed, I’ve felt bad that Rich, a great guy and a great squad comm, had to deal with my tomfoolery. TSgt Bradley would fly off the hook when I’d be in my room, see him walking down the hallway, make eye-contact with him – then quickly shut and bolt-lock my door. The little things that made that place bearable. I wasn’t holding my breath that I’d Sabre Society hear from Rich again, so I was quite surprised to find Donors an email from Rich and Erika Tanner sitting in my spam box a couple months ago. The Tanners sound like they’re doing well; they recently left McGuire AFB where Rich was the commander of one of the C-17 squadrons. He handed command to Jannell (Zigarelli) MacAulay, who came from a staff tour in Washington DC. Rich and Erika have three daughters, whom I’m sure are all intelligent, well behaved, and beautiful girls…they come from good genes. Jersey has treated the Tanner’s well; rumor has it that Rich has hit the WaWa just outside the McGuire gate so many times over the last couple of years that he’s getting a sandwich named after him. They’re on to Scott and AMC. Rich worked closely with Matt Reynolds, who is the C-17 maintenance squadron commander. Will Wade is the wing IG at McGuire. Will was the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron (KC-10) commander prior to taking his IG post. Once upon a time the 2nd ARS included Tait Stamp, Ben Menges, Aaron Tallman, Karsten Anderson, Mona Alexander, John Mirtich, Guy Johnson, Chuck Whitehead, and myself, Pat Fox – we were like the Bad News Bears of AMC. I’m sure with Will’s leadership the 2nd is the top squadron in AMC these days. Will is off to National War College at the end of the summer. Kevin Williams was the operations officer in the OSS, before moving over to the 32nd Air Refueling Squadron (KC-10). Kevin is off to Pensacola to fly T-6s this summer. Kind of strange that everyone is leaving McGuire just as Chris MacAulay is getting there – that’s not to say anything bad about my friend Chris, I thought I’d just point out the coincidence. Scott Souza fessed up that he’s been wanting to send me an update
for quite some time, but he’s hesitated because I’m a little liberal when it comes to stretching the truth. Scott – no offense taken. It’s common knowledge that the Honor Code doesn’t apply to Checkpoints. Scott sent along news of his wedding. Scott and his beautiful wife Heather tied the knot on June 1, 2014. Ely Wolin and Matt Jensen were both in attendance for the big event in California. Dr. Wolin made the wedding despite being right in the middle of a PCS and Matt flew his F-16 in Top Gun exercises earlier that day before Scott’s wedding. No word if Matt changed out of his flight suit for the wedding. It wouldn’t be the first time someone from our class wore a flight suit to a wedding, not that I would say anything Jeremy Jones. Scott is enjoying life as a financial advisor and looking forward to our next reunion.
Scott and Heather Souza Clint ZumBrunnen is an assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in DC – sounds like a tough job, but if you can handle having Jason Verbeck as a roommate, you can handle just about anything. Clint is organizing a reunion for all the Soaring IPs – so if you were a Soaring IP and have interest in attending, reach out to Clint. On a business trip to San Francisco, I had drinks with Marc Segal and Phil Vallie (who also happened to be doing business in San Francisco). Phil recently ran the Boston Marathon in 2:49, averaging just under six and a half minutes per mile for 26.2 miles. Pretty amazing for a guy who didn’t get a commission due to bad knees. Marc pointed out that Phil’s marathon pace was faster than his PFT pace… and then proceeded to finish his eighth beer of the evening. We had invited Mike Boos (’00) to join us, but ever since he’s become the face of Southwest marketing – appearing in both commercials and airport billboards – it’s been hard to get on his calendar. That’s all I have for this quarter. Apologies for no Jeff Mohr update, but Felecia asked me to take it easy on him. J Mo – I didn’t intend to hurt your feelings… I’ll send Brian Malloy (’97) over to give you a hug.
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Mary Stewart Arlington, VA marybeth1999@hotmail.com mary.stewart@pentagon.af.mil
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When this issue comes out, we should be close to celebrating a full 20 years since we got yelled off the bus… even longer than that if they ever let us count Day Zero. What I have learned over the past few months is that the idea of leaving your classmate in the Mother still resonates for ’99. I received a ton of emails and updates from everyone, and to that I say, I would paint the terrazzo gold again with y’all any day. So congrats to all those about to see their names in bold, especially if you weren’t expecting it (pimping your classmates never grows old). Scott Bowshot is flying gliders in the Reserves (70th Flying Training Squadron) at USAFA, teaching new Sabre Society generation cadets how to slip the surlies with no engine Donors for 10 years now. His civilian gig is as a professional engineer at the Academy’s 10th Civil Engineer Squadron across the street. Matt Taraborelli and Mike Whitted are in the 70th with Scott as well. Shawna (Wartner) and Scott are doing well and celebrating 19 years of Falcon Love! Shawna is a Reservist and a government civilian at the Missile Defense Agency at Schriever with Katie Rasmussen (Quigley). Katie’s husband, Cody, is teaching in the Mechanical Engineering Dept. They both are headed to Wright Patterson this summer to work secret squirrel stuff. ’99ers are taking over the Academy Airfield.
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Jeremy Lushnat is the Director of Operations in the Glider Squadron. Sean Baerman just took over as DO in Jump and Travis Keenan took over as the DO in the Powered Flight Squadron. Hans Larsen flew gliders and is now working in the cadet area. Jim Taggart just took over command of the 8th Space Warning Squadron (Reserves) at Schriever. Scott also ran into Geoff Fukumoto, still molding young lives as an AOC. Allegra Johnston (Gregory) is the Bowshots’ next-door neighbor. Vince Dana lives in the springs and flies for Jet Blue and Reserves at Randolph. Jen Schiessler is the DO for Active Duty C-130s at Peterson, and Rich Pantusa is the DO for the Reserve C-130 squadron at Peterson. I also heard from Dan Dorson, who took the TERA, moved his family to Minneapolis, and now works as an IT project manager. His old CS-15 (Plus Oultre!) roommate TJ Kreutzer lives nearby, flies for Delta, and just put in a sweet bar in his basement. It better be stocked with Goldschlagger! Ron Killins has been spotted in the area, too. For others who might want to move to the MSP area, Dan helps run a website for transitioning Academy graduates looking for local connections, TriServiceHub.com. Chris DiNote wrote in to let us know he transitioned from active duty to the Pennsylvania Air Guard in late 2006, and has spent the last few years everywhere from Alaska to Iraq and recently took command of the 125th Intelligence Squadron in Ohio as a newly-minted Ohio Air National Guardsman. He sent in a photo from his assumption of command, with his wife, Jamie, and their now six-month-old daughter Remy. Chris heads to AWC this summer.
not). Their four boys do have a ton of room to roam in Missouri though. Finally, he also mentioned John Blocher is wrapping up a year as the 9 ASOS/DO and he, Jaime, and their three boys will be off to new horizons this summer. Thank you again for all the updates. I’m wrapping this up after spending the afternoon drinking Belgian ale and celebrating Curt Hayes promotion to O-5. Curt is an oral surgeon at Ramstein, and he, his wife, Lynn, and their two boys are having a great 2015 as they also just celebrated the arrival of their little girl. Cheers!
Jason Simmons 5756 Range Rider Drive Colorado SAprings, CO 80923 Jason.Simmons@Outlook.com
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Classmates, Please send updates; much of this time around is from classmates accidental bumping into each other, and that’s great because it shows that even in this global society, it’s a small world after all. I get many comments on how these class news updates are terrific, but I need your helping in making them great, by providing your input, so thanks in advance, and on with the news … Bryan Trinkle, Patrick Brady-Lee and Dan Ellerbrook traveled to see old Troll Tim Fitzpatrick’s wedSabre Society ding in Baltimore, the day before the rioting began. PatDonors rick currently execs for HAF/A3 and at that time Dan was taking a break from ensuring the high quality of Intro Flight Training students in Pueblo, CO while training for Camp Arifjan. Trink has been busy Air Advising in South America as a member of a new Contingency Response Wing unit building partnership, capacity, capability & interoperability in countries like Peru, Colombia and Panama.
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Chris DiNote, his wife, Jamie, and daughter Remy at his Change of Command Ceremony for the 125th Intelligence Squadron. Jason Trew has been strategizing down at Maxwell AFB, where—in his words--he can’t seem to reach escape velocity. After 2 F-15C tours (Langley and Eglin), an ALO tour (Ft Hood and Bagram), and a T-6 tour (Pensacola), the Trews made their 12th move in 12 years to Montgomery, where they have been grounded for a while: first at ACSC, then as an instructor at ACSC, then a DO at ACSC, and now a student at SAASS. Next up is an AF-sponsored PhD to then return to... Maxwell, for teaching.
Bryan Trinkle, Patrick Brady-Lee, Tim Fitzpatrick, and Dan Ellerbrook celebrating Tim’s marriage to Kate.
James (7), Jason Trew, Jude (3), Jack (10), and Jennifer. Finally, Dan Hendrix shot me a note with some Southwest flavor (geographically speaking, not the airline for those salivating). Jimi has been filling in for Joe Barbare as the 55 ECG/CD at DM in Tuscon. But he and his family are headed to National War College this summer where he’ll join fellow Shiners Matt Allen, Rob Hutt, Craig Praither & Matt Renbarger. Jimi’s wife, Cheralyn, was accepted to George Washington University’s general surgery residency program as well. His four children Eric (15), Zach (13), Leah (10), and Kayleigh (7) have a lot to live up to with these strivers for parents, but I’m sure they’re up for the challenge. Jimi also provided an update on Doug Galloway, who took command of the 303 FS (associate A-10 unit at Whiteman) last summer, and Dene says he is absolutely loving having a combined ops/maintenance unit of 150 or so instead of the “boring” 30 or so pilots in a standard fighter unit (…or
April (Scott) Wimmer and Mike Pettibone April (Scott) Wimmer randomly bumped into Mike Pettibone at Six Flags in California. Mike is now flying for Virgin airlines and is doing well. April will be headed off to Buckley AFB this summer and so another classmate is returning to Colorado. On that note, as I was out of breath from finishing a 5K near the entrance of the Peterson Fitness Center, none other than Tara (Storch) Webster was walking out, and recognized one of her 4° teammates from Dirty 30. Tara is an active Reservist working as an Instructor with the 10th AF on Peterson and will be giving birth to baby #2 by the time you read this. It seems I keep running into old friends/classmates in the area.
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While at the Rocky Mountain Cyberspace Symposium, I ran into a handful of classmates including Dan Shinohara, Kevin Kuciapinski, Josh Miller, John Pappas, and Pete Lington. I meant to get a group photo of us all, and am sorry I missed that opportunity. Dan Shinohara and I share a parking lot here at Peterson, with him at HQ AFSPC and me at HQ NORAD & USNORTHCOM. Kevin Kuciapinski is out at Buckley AFB working fun projects as a Technical Director of a Division. John Pappas is a Solution Architect at M2 Technology out in San Antonio, and working out of Keller, TX is Pete Lington as a Senior Account Exec for Salesforce. Joshua Miller has been with Telos since 2005 and is their Director of Business Development. It was great catching up with them all and seeing the impact that our classmates are having on the cyber domain from both business and military perspectives. I heard that Bessie Fontenot is heading to DC in June and plans to visit Joann Kenneally, so we’ll be looking forward to seeing a picture for next time as well as any from others having meet-ups with classmates. I heard from Adam Rogge recently; he too is in Colorado Springs, so I look forward to meeting up with him soon; and anyone else nearby. I welcome you to plan to do the same, and look forward to the next round of updates! Cheers, -- Cueball
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Faith (Hitchcock) Dunn 6423 NW 94th Court Johnson, IA 50131 Faithd03@hotmail.com
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Hi all! Here are the updates I have received for the article this quarter. Thanks to those that sent updates! Keep them coming! Laura Renner has been in the San Francisco Bay Area for about 2 years helping small businesses with their hiring. She is rolling out a new service providing virtual assistance to solo business owners and using military spouses as the virtual assistants. So if anyone knows anyone who is interested in some part-time work from home, contact Laura!! She also coached a Girls High School Rugby Team this spring (and they won the division championship!). At the beginning of the season, Nikki “Spazzie” (HamiltonBrown) Foster (‘03) met up with me and watched our girls play. That same night, 2001 had a mini-reunion at the NorCal Alumni holiday dinner. Rick Collins, Katherine (Baerwald) Mansalis, her husband and Laura got Sabre Society caught up and refreshed some memories. Donors Drew Eisenhofer is currently the Chief of TTPs for the 204th Intelligence Squadron for the NJ ANG. He is full time there and absolutely loves it. He has instructed at the USAF Expeditionary Center as well for the Mobility Intel and Force Protection Intel courses and couldn’t ask for a better job. He also heard that Mike Reilly is with the 177th out of Atlantic City. Chris Geisel completed his Ph.D. at Purdue University in December, and is now assigned to the faculty at AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, teaching Astronautical Engineering. Meg (Poyant) Robare wrote that she was in Lithuania for project planning meetings and was escorted around by a Lithuanian Major who was a USAFA 2004 grad in CS-34. Small world! Jason Harris is living in Colorado Springs and he and his wife are expecting their first child, a baby girl, in June. He’s had the opportunity to connect with many classmates recently. He saw Pete Aguilar in Las Vegas for a job fair. Jason is currently serving Reserve duty at USAFA in the Center for Character and Leadership Development and also participating with the AOG Class Advi-
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2001 Meatfest VIII Reunion!
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sory Senate. If folks are interested in getting involved, please reach out to Jason via e-mail or FB. Ben Brown wrote that a crew of ’01ers got together in Park City this year for a Meatfest VIII reunion. Unfortunately, the “sleeve monster” attacked this year and left them with the ridiculous shirts but it was good fun. Classmates in attendance included Bart Robinson, Colin Ferguson, Adam Grace, Mike Reilly, Ben Brown, and Brent Hooper. (see photo at bottom of previous column.) Jesse Goolsby has exciting news! His literary novel, I’d Walk with My Friends If I Could Find Them, is coming out June 2nd! He will be in NYC (6/10), D.C. (6/13), and Boston (6/15) giving readings. Awesome Jesse! I can’t wait to read it! Jesse also met up with Jordan Collins in Florida to run a Tough Mudder and realized they are very old men! Mark Lennon recently moved to McConnell AFB and Ian Swayze has settled in Denver with Lockheed Martin. Mike and I are doing well. If any of you follow me on Facebook you may have seen that I had surgery in February and needed 6 weeks off after surgery. (Hence why there was no article submitted last quarter!) We were able to sneak in a Spring Break trip in March to Siesta Key, FL with the kids and it was a nice vacation to relax and reconnect as a family. We are wrapping up the school year here and getting ready for summer. Our little Abigail starts Kindergarten in the fall!! We can’t believe it!
Mike, Faith, Grant and Abby in Florida for Spring Break. Here are two wonderful updates that I received and wanted to save for last! Ashley Schafer, wife of our fallen classmate, Rick Schafer, reached out to me to let me know that the AOG has made her an associate member. They will be honoring Major Rick “Tracer” Schafer at the Homecoming Memorial Ceremony on Friday, 11 Sept. She is waiting for more information but thinks his name will be added to the Wall at that time. If you are in the Colorado Springs area, please consider going out and supporting Ashley and their children during the ceremony. She sent her regards to everyone for the outpouring of support; she appreciates everything more than she could ever express. This past February, 8 members of the USAFA Class of 2001 “Fired Up” and a fellow USAF officer from Embry Riddle, paid tribute to special operators who have made the ultimate sacrifice by participating in the Destin Beach Ultra, 50-mile Relay Race. The race was developed and is directed by fellow 2001 “Fired Up” USAFA classmate, Zane Holscher. Zane founded the Destin Beach Ultra runs in 2010 to raise funds for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) whose mission is to “ensure full financial assistance for education to the surviving children of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel who lose their lives in the line of the duty as well as immediate financial assistance to severely wounded and hospitalized special operations personnel.” This year Zane and his team of volunteers and sponsors put on another incredible race, which included the 50-mile relay, as well as a 5K/Athletic Challenge, individual 50K, 100-Mile, and 24-hour races, held on the beautiful beaches of Destin, FL. Zane also offers the Deployed Military Shadow run, whereby deployed military members can partake in the Ultra runs from their deployed locations. To date the Destin Beach Ultra runs have raised over $190,000 for SOWF. This year marked the inaugural year for the “USAFA Ladies of 2001” to participate in the 50-mile relay with an incredible showing of “’01-ers” split up into 2 separate teams: Team 1 – Lisa (Jorgensen) Christensen, Colleen (French) Crabtree, Lisa (Vice) Davitch, and Mary-Edith (Smith) Malin; and Team 2- Tara Copas, Kima Megorden, Stephanie Soltis, and Christine (Love) van Weezendonk. Each team member ran separate race legs totaling between 11 and almost 14 miles to complete the 50-mile relay along the Emerald Coast. The USAFA Ladies of 2001 raised over $16,001 for SOWF. It was an amazing experience to run with the support of our fellow classmates. And although we weren’t singing AF jodies, we were all remembering two of our very own from Class of 2001, Captain Derek Argel and Captain Jeremy Fresques, both special operators who lost their lives on 30 May 2005, while serving in OIF. Here is a great picture of the ladies with Race Director, Zane Holscher.
We had such a wonderful time reuniting with our classmates and running for SOWF that we’re hoping to make it an annual event with more teams from USAFA participating next year. If you’re interested in being a part of this amazing experience, please visit www.beachultra.com for more information. 2001 FIRED UP!
From left are Tara Copas, Lisa (Vice) Davitch, Christine (Love) van Weezendonk, Stephanie Soltis, Zane Holscher, Lisa (Jorgensen) Christensen, Colleen (French) Crabtree, Kima Megorden, and Mary-Edith (Smith) Malin. I hope this finds everyone well and have a great summer! Thanks! Faith Eric Ballew World Cell: +1.850.543.9936 ericballew86@yahoo.com eric.ballew@us.af.mil Class Facebook: USAFA Class of 2002 Class Website: www.usafa02.org
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to good use as an A-29 Air Advisor teaching Afghans how to employ the Super Tucano in combat. Jeff and his wife, Denise, have two kids, Rylan (4) and Olivia (2).
From oldest to youngest: Chris Adams, Ann Adams, Miryam (6), Simeon (4), Ephraim (4), Hezekiah (2), and Hadassah (10 months). Growing families: Christopher Adams and his wife, Ann, adopted and welcomed Miryam Ann Adams (age 6) and Ephraim Michael Adams (age 4) to the family just before Christmas. He got back from SACC in Washington DC in May, where he stayed and caught up with fellow classmate Mary Rudy Schwoerer. Chris just got picked up for the MakerCorps as the Maker-in-Residence for Arkansas Discovery Network inspiring younger generations to be makers and tinkerers working towards STEM careers. This summer he’s excited to be mentoring young kids at the Arkansas Museum of Discovery.
Class of 2002! I hope everyone had a great Spring Break and you’re ready for an epic Summer! We have a few updates for our class and I’d love to see more. Continue to update me with your latest job moves and family updates anytime something cool happens!
Leah Bennett Vanagas, Nate Voss and Eric Fisher Recognition run to the rock. Mission Updates: Leah Bennett Vanagas, Nate Voss and Eric Fisher are all stationed at USAFA and rocked their red hats during the Class of 2018 Recognition run to the rock. I think they only made the run because they were promised some Mitch’s Mountain at the end of the night. Speaking of mountains, Hassan Bin Rizwan climbed the Karakoram Range in Pakistan clocking in at 17,100 feet above sea level… which we all know is “far, far above that of West Point or Annapolis”. Jeff “Chaps” Lederhouse sent a quick update on what’s he’s been up to since graduation day. After pilot training Jeff flew A-10s from 2004-2011 with two Sabre Society Donors deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. From the A-10, he learned Italian at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA to prepare him for the Italian AMX (A-11B) exchange at Istrana Air Base, which is located south of Aviano from 2011-2014. He had the opportunity to deploy with his Italian Squadron to Afghanistan in 2013. Jeff is currently stationed at Moody AFB for the third time, using his 11 years of flying attack aircraft
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2002 Reunion in the Lone Star State. Everything is bigger in Texas! Hogmaggedon 2015 got epic in South Texas with Tony Straw, Dick Adams, Brock Henign, John Kopecky, Matt Bradesca, Paul Sheglov, and Justin Parker. Like the Comm’s Pin striver he has always been, Dick Adams left his bunk in airing with his comforter folded in the “Cadet e” upon departure… “it was the right thing to do”. Tony Straw also is launching a new web service for military families (PCSgrades) with two other USAFA grads... you can see the advertisement in this issue of Checkpoints. Keep taking photos and posting them to Facebook or email me anytime so I can keep your classmates updated on what’s new!
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Members Susan Lynn (Doyle) Maly Linked In: USAFA 03 USAFA2003@gmail.com Class Facebook Page: Usafa Zerothree LinkedIn: USAFA03
(Five Sabre Society Donors) Hey Bongers, I hope everyone is having a great summer. We heard from Maj John Barry who is heading to Ali Al Salem Kuwait for a 365-day deployment as the 386th EAMXS/CC. His wife, Emily (Feeler) Barry (‘05) was just selected as a Major in the AFRC… congratulations!
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In baby news, Greg and I welcomed Naomi Jean Maly on March 3, 2015. She is a blessing from the Lord and so much fun.
Greg, Susan, and Naomi Maly I hope to hear from more of you this fall. Please send updates via FB, LinkedIn, or our Gmail account. Take care, Susan
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Breezy Long 120 Sunfest Drive Deatsville, AL 36022 windyshort82@gmail.com
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Craig and Cat (Ankony) Christ report a ton of changes over the past year. Craig was approved for Palace Chase and will be separating from active duty in May. Cat separated with the VSP and is now staying at home with their four adorable children. Cat and Craig welcomed Colton Christ, the newest addition to the family, on 1 Oct 2014. This summer, they’re moving to Edwards AFB, where Craig will be flying the KC-135 again but as a full-time Reservist in an AGR position. On behalf of ’04, congrats to you both on the career moves, and Colton, welcome to the family!
The Christ Family 2014 Next, Ben Payne has been a busy, busy runner since many of us last saw him! In Nov 2014, he raced in the Las Vegas Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon, placing 3rd overall in 1:04:18... and qualifying for the US Olympic Marathon Trials (held Feb 2016 in Los Angeles). Yes, you read that right—the OLYMPIC TRIALS! Since then, Ben has PCSed to Colorado Springs to train full time with the AF World Class Athlete Program under coach Juli Benson. In Jan2015, Ben ran an incredible 1:03:25 at USA Half Marathon Championships in Houston, TX. He is continuing to prep for next year’s trials and says he’s “excited to represent ‘04, AFSOC, USAF & the USA by running fast for the next couple of years.” Amazing, right! The best part (for us, that is) is that he’s invited us all to see him in action along the course in February. Best of luck, Ben—hope to see you from the sidelines along the course next year!
Visit the AOG Web Site. Gone But Not Forgotten, Merchandise and more! www.usafa.org
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Olympic Hopeful Ben Payne Which brings me to the last update for this quarter: I thought I’d share my own big news for a change. On 11 April 2015, I happily married my dearest friend, Tim Junak (now Tim Long), in one of nature’s cathedrals, Yosemite National Park. We highly recommend visiting the park if you’ve never been—beautiful sights to see! Tim and I are moving Los Angeles this summer for my new O-4 leadership gig (super excited and grateful for that upcoming challenge), so please give us a ring if you’re ever in town, whether on business, on vacation (on your way to Yosemite…), or to join the ever-growing cheering section for Ben’s Olympic trial race! From Joe Brown: “I wanted to send along this info for Sabre Society Donors the Checkpoints update. For Spring Break this year, my wife, Johnena, and two kids, Georgia and Lincoln, and I traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal to visit fellow ‘04 classmate Corban Bryant. Corban and his family have moved to Nepal to found an ethical garment manufacturing business, called Purnaa. We spent a week with them traveling around Nepal, riding on elephants, viewing rhinos on a jungle safari, and touring the countryside on dirt bike. This was all just two weeks before the tragic earthquakes that devastated Kathmandu and the surrounding countryside. At last check, Corban and his family were safe and their house undamaged, but they have been involved in the recovery operations and providing aid to other survivors and their employees. Food has quadrupled in price and water and tarps are in short supply as aid has been slowing in reaching people. I don’t know if you are allowed to put this but if people want to give to the relief efforts they can at this link https://www.ywamsf.org/respondtonepal/ , select Purnaa in the designation box.” Sounds like the Bryants are doing amazing work out there. Joe, thanks for sharing the inside scoop, and our hearts are with the Bryants and their Nepalese community!
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Brown and Bryant Reunion in Nepal Thanks for staying in touch, and ‘til next time, take care.
John Tamasitis 825 Kinlock Court Columbia, SC 29223 jgtamasitis@gmail.com Cell: 803-360-2970
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Class of 2005, We have one great update from a classmate, and then I have some information on the Reunion Weekend. First and foremost, Heather Greatting-Dufaud and her husband, Kyle
Dufaud (2008), welcomed their first child, Wesley Thomas Dufaud, into the world on April 18, 2015.
Heather, Kyle and baby Wesley Heather and Kyle both work in satellite acquisition jobs in the Washington, D.C. area and are doing well. Regarding Reunion Weekend, the dates are set for Sept 10 through 13. These dates coincide with the San Jose State game, which also happens to be the first conference game of the year. Schedule details and lodging are in the process of being finalized, but it looks like we are going to have rooms blocked out at the Embassy Suites Colorado Springs at 7290 Commerce Center Drive. The schedule calls for a golf event on Thursday, Sept 10 (time TBD) and a class lunch at Mitch’s. On Friday, it looks like there will be a family event during the day Sabre Society Donors and then a class social event that night at the hotel. Finally, on Saturday, we are looking at hosting a tailgate before the game. More formal announcements will be coming soon; however, if you want to get up to the minute details, please ask to join our class Facebook page. You can find it by searching for USAFA Class of 2005. I hope all is well with everyone, and I look forward to seeing everyone and there families at Reunion Weekend.
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Shawn “The Schulz” Schulz 7840 Swiftrun Road Colorado Spring;s, CO 80920 (915) 309-5612 USAFACAD@hotmail.com Facebook page: USAFA Class of 2006
a healthcare marketing/strategy company in the area. We had our first baby, Knox Glenn (c/o 2037), on St. Paddy’s and the little man is slowly getting over his sleep allergy, which we are both super thankful for! If anyone is coming through Iowa this summer during the PCS season, we’re right off I-80 in Iowa City and would love to see folks!” Congrats Gooch’s, sounds like we have a place to stay! The baby-making does not stop there. Anthony Stinton and his wife just received a blessing. He wrote, “My wife, Katie, and I welcomed our 2nd daughter, Leah Hazel, on April 10th. She has already started working on application essays for the USAFA class of 2037 (and damn, doesn’t that make me feel old).” Good luck with parenthood and the same to your new freedom outside the Air Force! Wrapping up the “behind closed doors” session is Amy Justus (Gilliland). She wrote, “My husband, Jake, Sabre Society and I are expecting a baby boy at the end of Sept. Yay Donors for a Closeout baby!” Looks like the Air Force is not the only one spending money this fiscal year. Another family that got just a little bit bigger is from Susie Foote Crespo. She wrote, “We moved to Holloman AFB in Oct of 2013 to become instructors for the MQ-9 school house. Tim Cox is down here as well. Since we were no longer on shift work, we decided to start a family and had our baby boy, Ciarán Clifton Foote Crespo one year later -- 1 Oct 2014. I’ve attached a picture of us at three months. Otherwise, we have been trying to Palace Chase but if not picked up, we plan to finish out our commitment here and then head to Maryland to fly KC-135s for the Reserve unit at Andrews.” Susie, it sounds like you all have it mapped out, good luck in all you do.
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Members
Class of 2006, I hope this message finds you well, as many of you are in the midst of packing up to PCS, starting a new job, finally leaving the old job, etc. That brings me to my first set of updates. I will call this segment Engagements, Weddings, Babies, I Wish! I just learned that Denny Poland is now engaged. Another one to tie the knot is Robert Tudi. Jamie Hart was successful in marrying Kira, so he is officially off the market. Congrats gents, you all finally found someone to put up with you…hahaha. So we all know the rhyme, “First comes love, then comes marriage”… well now here comes Brian and Kelsey Guetchow with a baby carriage. “Kelsey (Hayward ’07) and I left active duty in 2013 and moved from Los Angeles to Iowa for Brian to attend medical school at the University of Iowa. Kelsey is financing this late life medical school decision working for
The Foote Crespo Family Rounding out the I Wish category is our very own Gary “Gurl I Wanna Make You” Sweatte. He wrote, “Haven’t gotten married, still no kids, stationed in Hawaii doing intel stuff... living aloha basically.” Well G-Man, I think we all envy you bro… go hang ten! Let me throw out all the awesomeness that some classmates have been doing in and out of the Air Force. James Schannep has published his third interactive novel in his “Click Your Poison” series. It can be found on Amazon I believe, and is titled Superpowered. Dana Lyon (Pounds) is tearing up the scene here at USAFA on two fronts: first is that she was recently inducted into the USAFA Hall of Fame. Great work, and second is that she
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is filling in as an AOC. OMG… what happened to us? Are we really AOC ready? Great job James and Dana. Speaking of in and out of the Air Force, many of you have chosen to part ways. I was able to learn of a couple friends that recently bounced out and are flying for Delta. In fact, I was able to re-connect with both of them. I had the pleasure of seeing Lisa Cannon here in COS, at my home (to see my wife and our two kiddos) and that was an honor. My family and I also met up with James “You Wanna Be A Man Weasel” Rorick in Scottsdale, AZ during our family road trip during spring break. Both are doing great things for Delta (shameless plug) so I will be looking for a “random” upgrade on my next flight! Living in COS has its perks… so it was also cool to see my roommate from freshman year, Matthew Shutt, as he was in town for some training. He is rockin’ the high-brain activity down in Kirtland AFB. I learned right after the last publishing that Andrew Embry graduated Fighter Weapon School. Sorry “AndyBear”, but the wifey spilled the beans. Congrats bro! Andrew Gray has his hands full with family and the F-22. He wrote, “Still at Tyndall AFB, IP in the F-22, 4 kids (finally a boy to go with our three girls).” Keep living the dream bro!
The Slocum’s are putting down roots in Denver. Looks like we have a place to stay after a hard night in the Big D… and I don’t mean Dallas! Thanks to those that provided updates this time around, and spread the word to others that I will gladly accept more. As for me (ShawnSchuuuuulz), I am still the Budget Officer at USAFA and would love to meet up if any of you are in town. I got you covered on a place to stay... just say the word!
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Casey (Bayne) Whitson (310) 343-5969 email@caseywhitson.com
Members
I didn’t receive any updates this quarter so this one will be short. I have one personal update to share. Recently I graduated with fellow 2007 grads Blake Pickell and Vic Thompson from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business. Vic completed his MBA through the full-time program; I completed my MBA through the 3-year part-time program and Blake was part of the first class to graduate from the Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) program. Oddly enough all three of us came from the Sabre Society same squadron at the Academy as well. We were all Donors Nightriders in CS-18 until I left to join CS-38 when they reopened the last four squadrons our senior year. It was awesome to see them both on graduation day and laugh about how different it was from our Academy graduation. Blake and Vic are off to new jobs in the civilian world and we look forward to hearing what their careers have in store for them.
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The Embry Family Jen Fuka (Neville) and Scott Pontzer are finishing up their TPS Reports (lame Office Space reference); I mean graduating TPS. Congrats! Not quite graduating the School of Life, but acing the art of still single & fabulous are Christa Sperling and Ashley Housley. You two are finding ways to live the dream. The reunion continues as Jane Dunn (McDonald) threw an update at me about a handful of grads. “I was at Maxwell for some training and ran into a bunch of USAFA gals: Amanda Rasmussen, Sandra Glidewell (09), Caitlin Williams (12) and Anna Gault (12). Sandy and I were there for the FSS Flight Commander’s course and Amanda, Caitlin, and Anna were there for SARC training. USC Class of 2015 Pickell, Thompson, and Whitson. In the last update I included a blurb about Casey and Miji (Dalton) McConnell’s newest addition, Brody McConnell. I wasn’t able to submit their family photo in time so I wanted to include it in this update. Congrats again Casey and Miji!
USAFA Ladies at Maxwell Two gents that are up to nothing, as usual, are David “Biggy Smalz” Smalenberger and Clyde Cross. Both of them managed to report that Clyde got his CISSP. Teddy Boyd also had nothing further to add! The USAFA Management department will gain strength as two classmates move here this summer. Kenon “The Kenon” Thompson will bring his entourage while Josh “Wolfy” Wolfram brings his wifey, Christin. Get ready COS, 2006 is about to shake things up! Speaking of living in Colorado, Brian “Sloc” Slocum had this to say, “I am separating and my last day is next Friday. I got hired as the Budget Officer for the Colorado Air National Guard.
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The McConnell Family Lastly, Kelsey (Hayward) Guetschow and Brian Guetschow (’06) had their first baby, Knox Glenn Guetschow, born March 17, 2015. They’ve included their update in the Class of 2006 section so take a quick look when you have a chance; he’s definitely a cutie.
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Christin Brodie (817) 223-9793 Christin.Brodie@usafa.edu cbrodie2@icloud.com
Members
Hi ’08ers! Thank you so much for sending me updates—keep them coming! First, a shout out to Kyle Babbitt for winning the 2015 Jabara Award! Kyle is apparently a pretty talented and hardworking A-10 pilot who flew more than130 combat sorties and amassed over 470 combat hours in Afghanistan. So if you find yourself near Whiteman AFB, stop in, say congratulations and buy him dinner. He’s also in the global… an email is less personal and tasty, but just as encouraging. Joseph (J.P.) Joyce who is currently at Maguire Air Sabre Society Donors Force Base was married on Aug. 30, 2014 to Georgia Friedman who is an Occupational Therapist originally from Harrisburg, PA. In addition to the many Air Force friends and family members that were able to attend the ceremony and reception at The Monaco Hotel in Philadelphia, J.P. had his three brothers and two sisters-in-law present and Georgia’s brother and sister. Other Class of 2008 graduates able to attend the festivities were Zach Alexander, Qais Al Jabour, Tadd Lahnert, Jaime Martinez, Dan Perry and J.C. (Whodie) Wuellner. It sounds like it was quite the three day party.
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J.P. and his wife, Georgia, under the saber arch. I see a few smiles on saber bearers back there… lock it up guys. I also heard from J. William Sutcliffe who is currently stationed at Hanscom Air Force Base who is barely recovering from a long winter of recordbreaking snowfall. He proposed to his then-girlfriend Amanda (Moreno) Sutcliffe on the summit of Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire last August. They were married on Jan 30 of this year in his home state of Connecticut. Since Amanda works for the Boston Beer Company (aka Samuel Adams), you can guess what was on tap! Also in attendance were fellow ‘08ers Kemery (Gies) McGuire and Adam Tardiff. Adam recently PCSed to Germany, but flew all the way back to Connecticut just for the wedding.
Congratulations to both of our newlyweds and to our class’ Real American Hero. It’s awesome to see all of the classmates who are still supporting each other. If you have your own amazing mini class reunion, please take pictures and send me a note. I would love to share it with the rest of our class. So call me, send me a message on Facebook, or look me up in global. I look forward to hearing about your amazing adventures!
Forrest Underwood PSC 2, Box 9538 APO AE 0012 forrestunderwood@gmail.com Facebook: Forrest J. Underwood
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(Two Sabre Society Donors) Summer is upon us and I hope you’re reading this issue by the pool or beach, hopefully not the one at Al Udeid. Thank you for sending in all of your updates! Also, let us know if you are going to SOS, PCSing, transitioning out of the Air Force, or anything else exciting! We want to know how you’re doing and where you’re going! Like and post it to our Class of 2009, Air Force Academy Facebook Page! Here’s the latest…
The Strekowski Family BABIES: Przemek and KT Strekowski welcomed Scout McCoy to the family! Casey and Emily (Schaffer) Allen had a beautiful baby girl, Hannah, in January! Shane Frey doubled down with TWINS, Jackson and Mallory. Congrats! Andrew Roberts added one to the team, a strapping young boy! Class of 2037! Wayne and Nicole Barber had their first boy and are moving to Travis AFB this summer to fly the KC-10! Eric and Laura (Walsh) Evans are expecting their first in August! James and Jessica Johnson are expecting their SECOND child later this year! Laughlin was THAT good.
The Underwood Wedding The happy Sutcliffe couple at their reception “where the beer flows like wine…”
MARRIED: Forrest and Patrizia Underwood were married in Limburg,
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Germany! Mike “Persh” Hank had his wedding in a location almost as nice… Hawaii. Congrats brotha! Cody Nelson and Aamy Park both got hitched as well! Lots of love to them and their new families! ENGAGED: Sam Saenger and Matt Bucholtz (’08) are keeping the bloodline strong! Ryan Rutherford and Drew Hundley both popped the question too! NEW JOBS: Adam and Angelica (Plazas) Bergoo are PCSing to Altus, OK at the end of May. Get ready for some Swedish-Colombian culture! Stop by Casa de los Bergoos for some smoked meat and aguardiente!! OTHER SPOOGE: I actually, physically saw Mike Knapp at Ramstein departing for a mission. Ladies and Gentlemen, he made it! SHAMELESS PLUG: Check out www.crashpadsinaltus.com! Classmate owned! If you ever need a place to stay in Altus, OK you need to look no further than the Bat Cave!
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Members Todd Gamiles 2010checkpoints@gmail.com
Greetings class and congratulations on reaching the 5-year point! Many of you responded to the “Where Am I Now” call, so thank you very much and we’ll get to those responses in a little bit! But first, congratulations are in order for three of our classmates, the first being Jonathan Tellefsen who got married in February, to Whitney (Martin) Hayes and husband Jordan (’08) on the birth of their baby boy, and also to Michael Rogers and his wife, Jess, who welcomed their beautiful little girl Paige (see below) into the world in January.
Kuzma, Chris Schumaker, Erin (Keane) Killion, Travis Root, Jonny Benson, John Rebolledo, Abby Wood, Jonathan Cordell, David Hickle, Maggie Blackstun, Michael Koslow, and Andrew Van Timmeren. Many of our classmates have left the service to pursue other successful careers outside the Air Force. Kicking things off, Tyler Haugseth separated and is working for the Army Surgeon General as a healthcare analyst. Tyler Verett medically retired in late 2013 and is working for Garmin in Kansas City doing avionics software engineering. Mark Watkins got out early is now flying skydivers and a bush carrier Alaska. Randall Mitchner is already out and works as a system engineer for Lockheed Martin in their Skunkworks. Kim Hammernik got out last July and is currently going to medical school in Denver. Sondra (Lesser) Williams is separating, having been accepted to a physician assistant program in the civilian sector. Brandon Paquette and Michael Albert both separated last August. Brandon is attending business school and Michael works as a management consultant in DC. Adam Mikulis, Zach Walker, and Justin Warner all separated in September, Adam moved to Denver to be a stockbroker (hit him up if you’re in the area), Zach is a financial analyst for 7-Eleven in Dallas and Justin is working as an INFOSEC consultant in the Northern Virginia area. Josh McCormick is leaving in May to work with churches in Alaska, and Jacques Maniguet plans to open an Olympic weightlifting gym near Scott AFB. Afton (Boudreaux) Anson just finished nursing school and plans to separate in June and is looking forward to joining her husband in Ramstein. Brett Killion and Dan Fulcoly also plan to get out in June, with Dan looking to work as a management consultant in DC but still stick around as a Reservist. Jack Fitzgerald is leaving in July, heading either to business school or Silicon Valley. Robert Lee, James Hardin, and Philip Isaac also plan to get out over the summer. Robert plans to stay in the Reserves, pursuing careers both with a cybersecurity company and teaching. James is looking forward to supporting his wife attending medical school, and Philip is starting physical therapy school. Erin (Ferderer) Willet is separating in August to finally be able to live with her husband, Max Willet; and Greg Cappuzzo plans to get out in October. Rebecca Rasweiler-Richter is separating in January to finish up a certification in clinical lab science through George Washington University, and Nora Scheiber (El Oueslati) is getting out around the same time to pursue a career in HR. Of course, many of our classmates have spent considerable time in deployed operations in support of operations around the world. Solange Eddy and Elizardo Villatoro (both second row) sent this deployed picture from their time with the 380th AEW and degrading/destroying ISIL.
The Rogers Family And now, onto the “Where Am I Now” updates! Sam Han is heading off to Belgium for a 3-year assignment on the J8 staff. Jessica Whitney is staying in, but her husband, Tom Whitney, separated in April is now golfing full time. Chris Horn is staying in post-medical school and residency. Michael McLain is locked in as well and is halfway through the Army-Baylor MBA & MHA program. He’s headed to Everett, WA for a year in July to work as a healthcare consultant for Providence. Berkely Davis is going to medical school at Northwestern in Chicago, David Corpman at UCSF, and Erlyn Rudico is going to Western in Pomona, CA. Thomas Powell is attending the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. Brandon Johnson graduated AFIT, Willie Adorno is about to graduate, and Joshua Lapso is also a student Sabre Society Donors there. Josh Cousins got picked up for Education With Industry (EWI) and Cynthia Lete for Logistics Career Broadening. Jennifer Haden is also staying in to finish her Master’s degree. Haley (Brewton) Schumann is also staying in. Indya Vernon is attending law school. Claudia Santos is at Aviano in the Equal Opportunity shop, Stephanie Roose is in Alaska as an E-3 Nav, Tiffanie Katz is holding down the fort in finance, Andy Waddel is keeping things moving in acquisitions. Several of our classmates are instructors at USAFA: Jonathan Tellefsen (Aero), Erin Wilson (Rock Climbing/Unarmed Combat), Trevor Miller (Econ), and Simon Ferrel! Teach those cadets well! Of course, there are plenty of pilots as well that are still flying various airframes at various bases! Nate Dial, Daniel Walker, Saj El-Amin, Kile
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As for me, my time at Misawa, Japan is about done; I received orders to the 823 RED HORSE at Hurlburt Field, FL (I know, tough assignment) with a July report date. While I’ll leaving behind great classmates at Misawa like Sara Suniga, I’m looking forward to linking back up with Wayne Black and Joe Ignatowski who are at Hurlburt. After being stationed at two bases in a row where they measure annual snowfall in feet, the Air Force finally decided it was time to thaw me out. As a logistician rather than a civil engineer, I’m looking forward to being integrated into a unit outside the
JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY! YOUR MONEY HELPS FUND CADET WING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED. CALL (719) 472-0300 X200.
typical mission set. I also got to travel quite a bit during the first quarter of 2015, including a TDY to Pearl Harbor Hickam in January for evaluation for RPA crosstraining and to visit with the logistics PACAF functional managers. Unfortunately, the waivers I needed were not approved, but it was still a good time. I also went up to Sapporo for the annual ice festival followed by KEY RESOLVE in Korea in February. Part of the trip to Korea included a visit to the DMZ; I’ve included a picture of me standing next to the guard on the North Korean side of the conference table. Yup, I’ve been to North Korea and lived to tell about it! Aside from my PCS, I’ll also be starting the Intermediate LRO course in May, so that’ll be a significant step in my upgrade training, fingers crossed everything goes smooth!
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LeRoi Edwards leroi.edwards@gmail.com
Members
(Two Sabre Society Donors) (Editor’s note: We did not receive an input from LeRoi this issue. Please send him your information and photos for the next magazine.)
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Members Andrew Hedman awhedman91@yahoo.com andrew.hedman.2@us.af.mil
(One Sabre Society Donor) (Editor’s note: We did not receive an input from Andrew this issue. Please send him your information and photos for the next magazine.) I think this is the first update I’ve come close to hitting the word limit, so thank you very much for your updates! We also have a Facebook group where you stay connected and get the latest updates, please come join us at https://www.facebook.com/ groups/789509674436783/ and share your story. ‘Til next time, blue skies and tailwinds!
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Claire Palmer usafa2014updates@ gmail.com
Members
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Elizabeth Borroni 809 Swift Water Drive Abilene, TX 79602 (979) 571-1180 elizabeth.borroni@gmail.com
Members
In the past two years our class has produced amazing accomplishments as we lay the foundations of our Air Force careers. From maintaining the fleet to defending our bases, monitoring our space assets to serving as representatives to delegates, to earning a spot in the next generation of aviators and moving on to become qualified in respective air frames; our class has impressed me in more ways than I could have imagined upon commissioning two years ago. I have been witness to individuals dominating in their various tech schools, and the rewarding of well-deserved medals, as well as awards for Outstanding CGO. One year ago many of us were finishing tech school; now we find that many of our classmates are either deSabre Society ployed or have already returned from a deployment. Donors For the rest of us our turn fast approaches. The Air Force Academy recently unveiled a POW memorial at Doolittle Hall. On the memorial were words that helped the individuals get through their imprisonment. Various words such as, “patriotism”, “loyalty”, or “family” are an example of some of the motivators. As tensions are on the rise, we may one day find ourselves in their shoes. As the POWs selected a word to get through their experiences, I encourage you to think about what virtues or values you hold dear. Embrace those values as you strive for your goals in pursuit of excellence. We are a phenomenal group; I look forward to what the future has in store for the Class of 2013.
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(No Sabre Society Donors Yet) 2014ers, After some great Sixty Days shenanigans, many wedding celebrations, and all of our first plunges into the “real” Air Force as Second Lieutenants, here we are with a year under our belts. Since the Air Force has spread us to the corners of the world, and because I bet you’ve wondered what your fellow nerds are up to, we’re going to take a corner of this page to keep in touch! As amazing, new, hilarious, or exciting things happen in your life, send them my way and I will send them out you through this column. I’m looking forward to hearing from you! Keep on keeping on. Claire
Congratulations USAFA Class of: The Association of Graduates congratulates the Wright Brothers Class on their recent graduation. Beginning with the next magazine, the Class of 2015 will have a Class News column in this book. Any volunteer class scribes and/or the class president please contact class news editor, Tom Kroboth, at Tom. Kroboth@aogusafa.org.
Visit the AOG Web Site: www.usafa.org 151
By 1st Lt. Hope Cronin, 33rd Fighter Wing public affairs U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marleah Robertson
The First Female F-35 Pilot 4
usafa.org
The Department of Defense welcomed its first female F-35 Lightning II pilot on May 5. Lt. Col. Christine Mau ’97, 33rd Fighter Wing Operations Group deputy commander, completed her first training flight in the single-seat fifth-generation fighter following 14 virtual training missions in the full mission simulator at the F-35 Academic Training Center. “It wasn’t until I was taxiing to the runway that it really struck me that I was on my own in the jet,” said Mau, formerly an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot. “I had a chase aircraft, but there was no weapons system officer or instructor pilot sitting behind me, and no one in my ear like in simulators.” And with that, like the other 87 F-35A pilots trained over the last four years at Eglin Air Force Base, Mau thundered down the runway and was airborne as the first woman in the Air Force’s premier fighter. “It felt great to get airborne. The jet flies like a dream, and seeing the systems interact is impressive. Flying with the Helmet Mounted Display takes some adjusting, but it’s an easy adjustment,” said Mau. “The training missions in the simulator prepare you very well, so you’re ready for that flight.” The initial flight in the F-35 training syllabus is designed to orient pilots with the physical aspects of flying the F-35 compared to other fighters they’ve flown previously, such as the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-15C Eagle, F-16 Falcon, A-10 Warthog or F-22 Raptor. Women have served in combat aviation roles in those and other aircraft for more than 20 years. Mau acknowledged that, although she may be the first female in the F-35 program, her gender has no bearing on her performance as a fighter pilot. She joked that the only dif-
ference between her and her fellow F-35 pilots is the size of her G-suit and facemask. They are both extra-small. “Flying is a great equalizer,” said Mau. “The plane doesn’t know or care about your gender as a pilot, nor do the ground troops who need your support. You just have to perform. That’s all anyone cares about when you’re up there—that you can do your job, and that you do it exceptionally well.” Mau’s combat experience and technical prowess in the cockpit were the primary draws for her selection to her position with the 33rd OG. “Lt. Col. Mau brings a valuable level of combat and operational knowledge to our team,” said Col. Todd Canterbury, 33rd FW commander. “We’re nearly a year out from declaring Initial Operational Capability with the F-35. We need battletested pilots to help us put the F-35A through its paces and ensure we have a trained and ready force of F-35 pilots to feed into our combat air forces.” Canterbury witnessed Mau’s leadership and combat effectiveness first-hand when they were both deployed to Afghanistan in 2011, where she was part of another important milestone for women in the combat aviation community. While with the 389th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Mau was part of the first all-female combat sortie. The combat mission provided air support to coalition and Afghan forces in the Kunar Valley, Afghanistan. From the pilots and weapons system officers of the two F-15E jets to the mission planners and maintainers, the entire mission was carried out entirely by women. “As a service, we need to attract the most innovative and skillful Airmen possible for one reason—it makes us more effective,” said Canterbury. “The broader the net that we cast into the talent pool, coupled with a laser focus on performance, ensures we have the best Airmen in place to carry out the mission. Performance is key, and it’s the standard we hold all of our Airmen to in the Air Force.”
POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Checkpoints, Association of Graduates, Doolittle Hall, 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475.
Vince Rusinak, ’68 Vince@Rusinak.com
Nancy Rusinak Brother, R. Berthiaume, ’73
Nancy@Rusinak.com
www.RusinakRealEstate.com Rusinak Real Estate, Inc. 7160 North Academy Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80920 719.590.6110 Toll Free: 1.800.789.6650